Clas (ecclesiastical settlement) facts for kids

A clas (pronounced "klass"; plural: clasau) was a special type of early Christian church in Wales during the Middle Ages. Unlike the large monasteries built later by the Normans, which had many buildings like cloisters and kitchens, a clas was usually just one main building. It was run by a group of religious people called clergy, and their leader was called an abbot. These clas churches were independent and managed their own affairs.

After the Norman invasion of Wales in the late 1000s, many clas churches in South Wales became connected to religious houses in England. This meant some sites became part of the Benedictine or Augustinian orders. New Norman churches were often built on top of these old clas sites in the centuries that followed.

What Was a Clas?

Imagine a very old church in Wales, long before big cathedrals were built. That's a clas! It was a simple church building where a community of religious people lived and prayed. They were led by an abbot, who was like their boss. These churches were important centers for Christianity in Wales a very long time ago. They were different from the huge monasteries you might think of today because they were usually just one building.

Where Were Clas Churches Found?

Historians have found evidence of many clas churches across Wales. One expert, Wendy Davies, found about 36 of these early churches from the 600s to 800s, mostly in South East Wales. She thinks there might have been around 50 clas churches in total. If other parts of Wales had similar numbers, there could have been as many as 150 to 200 clas churches across the whole country!

Many of these early clas churches were later given to other religious groups, like the Cistercians, who were often supported by the Normans or Welsh Princes.

Some Important Clas Sites

Here are a few examples of places where clas churches once stood:

• Bangor: This was the site of St. Deiniol's clas, which is now the famous Bangor Cathedral.
• Beddgelert: This clas later became an Augustinian monastery.
• Berriew, Montgomeryshire: This church was supposedly founded by St Beuno, a famous Welsh saint who lived around 640 AD. He was born near the River Severn and later founded this clas. St Beuno performed many miracles and started other churches before moving to Clynnog Fawr, where he founded another important monastery. The church at Berriew has a nearly circular graveyard, which often shows it's a very old church site.
• Bettws Cedewain, Montgomeryshire: This church is also thought to have been founded by St Beuno in the 500s. Its oval-shaped churchyard suggests it was an early clas or monastic church.
• Caer Gybi (Holyhead), Anglesey: This is where St Cybi's church is located.
• Clynnog Fawr: This site is now home to St Beuno's church, another important place linked to the saint.
• Glasbury: This town is actually named after the clas that was once there!
• Llanbadarn Fawr, Ceredigion: This was one of the most important clas churches in early Christian Wales.
• Llancarfan: This clas is connected to another famous Welsh saint, St. Cadog.
• Llandeilo: This clas was started by St Teilo.
• Llanelwy (St Asaph), Denbighshire: This site was traditionally founded by St Kentigern and later taken over by Saint Asaph. Today, the parish church of St Kentigern and St Asa stands here.
• Penmon: This was the site of St Seiriol's clas.
• Tywyn: This is where St Cadfan's Church is located today.