Thomas Ragon, Abbot of Vale Royal facts for kids

Thomas Ragon was an important leader, known as an Abbot, at Vale Royal Abbey in Cheshire. He was in charge from 1351 to 1369. During his time, he focused on two main things. First, he restarted the building of the abbey, which had stopped for ten years. Second, he fought to keep his abbey's rights over a church in Llanbadarn Fawr, Ceredigion. Another abbey, Gloucester Abbey, also claimed this church.

About Vale Royal Abbey

Vale Royal Abbey was started by King Edward I in 1277. He wanted it to be the biggest and grandest Cistercian church in Europe. Cistercians are a type of Christian monk. However, building the abbey was often delayed. King Edward had promised to build it much earlier, in 1263. But wars and other problems kept him from starting until at least 1270.

Work continued until the 1280s, then stopped again. This time, King Edward needed money and workers for his invasion of Wales. He took the money meant for the abbey. He also took the builders and other workers. They were needed to build his castles in Wales. By the 1330s, the monks had only finished the east part of the church. Thomas Ragon became the abbot of Vale Royal in 1351. This was two years after the previous abbot, Robert de Cheyneston, had passed away.

Rebuilding the Abbey Church

In 1353, Edward the Black Prince wanted to finish the abbey building. His great-grandfather, King Edward I, had started it. So, Thomas Ragon received money for this purpose. He got a tenth of a large payment from Cheshire. This payment was 5,000 marks, a type of old currency. The Prince also gave 500 more marks when he visited the abbey in 1358.

This money allowed Abbot Thomas to continue the building work. It was expected to take six years. But in October 1359, a huge storm hit. Much of the nave, the main part of the church, was destroyed. Even the new lead roof, put on by the last abbot, was blown away. The damage was very bad. It stretched from the west wall to the bell-tower. The wooden scaffolding also fell down. It looked like trees pulled up by the wind.

Repairs took a long time, about thirteen years. Abbot Thomas was responsible for adding special chapels. These were seven chapels that spread out from the east end of the church. This design was very unique. The rebuilt church was smaller than planned before. Abbot Thomas made a deal with the Master Masons, the main builders. They would build the church. He would pay for and organize twelve chapels. However, Thomas did not seem to follow the agreement. Three years later, the Prince of Wales had to order him to keep his promise.

Royal Duties

Abbot Thomas also helped the King when needed. For example, in 1364, he received a promise of loyalty, called fealty, from John de la Pole. Thomas also held other important jobs outside his abbey duties. He was in charge of the gate at Aberystwyth Castle. He also managed the taxes for that town. From 1361, he was the rector of Llanbadarn Fawr, Powys. A rector is a church leader.

Under Abbot Thomas, the abbey also gained control of two churches. These were Lampeter and Llanbadarn Fawr church. This control, called an advowson, was given by a close advisor to Edward, the Black Prince. In 1360, King Edward III had given these churches to the Prince of Wales. The Prince then gave them to members of his household. These people then "appropriated" them to Abbot Thomas. This means they officially gave them to him. The Prince approved this. It was meant to be a royal gift to help rebuild the church after the storm.

Llanbadarn Fawr was a very rich church. Its rector was a powerful figure. The church's wealth almost made him as important as an abbot. From then on, Abbot Thomas and future abbots were declared the true abbots of that church. The abbey's own history book, The Vale Royal Ledger Book, recorded this event. It said that all the people there promised their loyalty to Abbot Thomas. They recognized him as the rector and their lord. Abbot Thomas visited the church in 1361.

Disagreement with Gloucester Abbey

The control of Llanbadarn Fawr church caused many problems for Abbot Thomas. It led to a big disagreement between Vale Royal and Gloucester Abbey. Gloucester Abbey did not like the gift. Llanbadarn Fawr had previously been a cell of Gloucester's. A cell is like a smaller branch of a main monastery.

The church was very wealthy, making it worth fighting over. It controlled ten smaller chapels. It also brought in at least £120 every year. Even though Vale Royal had permission from the Bishop, the King, and the Pope, Gloucester Abbey still disagreed. The case went on for many years, even after Thomas died. It was not settled until 1399. This disagreement caused bad feelings within Vale Royal Abbey itself. It also caused problems in North Wales. Even in the 1400s, abbots from Vale Royal sometimes feared being attacked when they traveled to Llanbadarn Fawr.

Death

Abbot Thomas passed away in the summer of 1369. He likely died from pestilence, a widespread disease. In 1383, he was mentioned as a "former" abbot. He was followed by Stephen. However, Stephen is not recorded as holding the office until 1374. So, there might have been another long period without an abbot in charge.

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