Margam Abbey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Margam Abbey |
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| St Mary's Abbey Church, Margam | |
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Abaty Margam
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Margam Abbey: the present parish Church of St Mary comprises the nave of the abbey church
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| Location | Margam, Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Church in Wales |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Churchmanship | Anglo-Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1147 |
| Dedication | Saint Mary |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Style | Romanesque |
| Administration | |
| Archdeaconry | Margam |
| Diocese | Llandaff |
| Province | Wales |
Margam Abbey (Welsh: Abaty Margam) was a Cistercian monastery (a place where monks live and work). It is located in the village of Margam, which is now a part of modern Port Talbot in Wales. The abbey was dedicated to Saint Mary.
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History of Margam Abbey
Margam Abbey was started in 1147. It was founded by Robert, Earl of Gloucester. The abbey was a "daughter house" of Clairvaux Abbey, meaning it was set up by monks from Clairvaux.
The first abbot (leader of the monastery) was William of Clairvaux. Later, the third abbot, Conan, was well-known. He even entertained a famous writer named Giraldus Cambrensis. Conan also helped organize the writings of Bernard of Clairvaux.
In 1536, King Henry VIII of England closed down many monasteries, including Margam Abbey. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. At that time, only 12 monks lived at Margam. The abbey was then sold to Sir Rice Mansel.
Over time, the abbey passed to the Talbot family. In the 1800s, C R M Talbot built a large house called Margam Castle nearby. The main part of the abbey church, called the nave, continued to be used as a local church. It is still used as a church today.
Margam Abbey Today
Today, Margam Abbey includes the main part of the church, which is still used. There are also many ruins around it. The local council now owns these ruins.
One important ruin is the twelve-sided chapter house. This part of the abbey was built in the 1200s. The ruins are located inside the large Margam Country Park. This park covers about 840 acres (3.4 square kilometers).
The Abbey church of St Mary, the ruined Chapter House, and the Abbey undercroft are all important historic buildings. They are listed as Grade I listed buildings, which means they are very special.
On a hill near the abbey, you can find the ruins of a small chapel called Capel Mair ar y Bryn. This name means "the chapel of St Mary on the hill." Monks who were looking after sheep or other animals might have used this chapel. It allowed them to pray without having to go all the way back to the main abbey church.
Wales Tree of the Year 2020
In 2020, a beautiful beech tree growing in the ruins of Margam Abbey won a special award. It was voted Tree of the Year in Wales!
This tree, known as the 'Chapter House Tree', won an online vote. It was organized by the Welsh Woodland Trust. The tree received 1118 votes and was awarded £1000.
See also
- Margam Country Park
- Margam Stones Museum
- List of monastic houses in Wales
- List of Scheduled Monuments in Neath Port Talbot
Photos
- Original Abbey Complex:[1]
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Margam Abbey
Images for kids
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Margam Abbey ruins in 1805
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The ruins of the Chapter House
