Llanllugan Abbey facts for kids
Llanllugan Abbey was a special kind of monastery for Cistercian nuns in Llanllugan, Powys, Wales. It was one of only two Cistercian monasteries for women in all of Wales.
Contents
How Llanllugan Abbey Started
Llanllugan Abbey was founded a long time ago, likely in the early 1200s. A powerful lord named Maredudd ap Rhobert, who ruled Cedewain, gave the nuns their first official document, called a charter. This charter gave them land in Llanllugan, right between two streams of the River Rhiw.
The abbey also owned other lands, like Hydan grange near Castle Caereinion and Cowney in Llangadfan. They also got money from churches. For example, the church of Llanfair Caereinion gave them income starting in 1239. Another church, Llanllwchaiarn, also provided money from 1263.
The abbey was connected to a larger Cistercian monastery for monks called Strata Marcella Abbey. It was like a smaller branch of that bigger abbey.
Welsh Princes and Monasteries
During that time, the Princes of Wales often started their own Cistercian monasteries. These Welsh monasteries were separate from the ones built in England. This meant they were usually friends with the Welsh noble families.
Llanllugan in Welsh Poetry
Llanllugan Abbey is famous in Welsh literature because of a poem by a well-known poet named Dafydd ap Gwilym. The poem is called Cyrchu Lleian, which means "Wooing a nun."
In the poem, Dafydd asks his messenger to go to "proud Llanllugan." He wants the messenger to convince one of the nuns to leave the abbey and meet him in the forest.
How Many Nuns Lived There?
Historians think Llanllugan Abbey was quite small. Records from 1377 show there were only four nuns and an abbess (the head nun). Dafydd's poem, written before the Black Death, playfully suggests there were about 60 nuns. However, this was likely just a poetic exaggeration. Most Cistercian nunneries in Wales usually had fewer than a dozen members.
What Remains Today?
The old church of the monastery is still standing and is now used as the local parish church of Llanllugan. However, the exact spot where the abbey buildings were located is not completely certain. Some people think they might have been in a field about 200 meters south of the church.
