Talley Abbey, Talley (South Wales)
Remains of Abbey built between 1184 and 1189.
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Summary
- 13th century buildings (or older)
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Introduction
Founded for the Premonstratensian order by the Lord Rhys, between 1184 and 1189. Parts of the abbey church survive.
History to the present day
Lying at the head of the Talley Lakes, Talley Abbey was the only Abbey founded in Wales for the monastic order of the Premonstratensians or White Canons. These monks had a constitution and way of life loosely modeled on Cistercian lines, including the same white habit. However, in the undertaking of their duties within the parish they were Augustinian.
The Canons were given substantial support in England at the end of the 12th century, with Henry II's chief justiciar, Ranulf de Glanville being an important patron. Glanville may have encouraged Rhys ap Gruffydd, the Lord Rhys, in his choice of the White Canons to occupy Talley Abbey which he founded in the late 1180s. Ranulf’s downfall soon afterwards probably resulted in the foundation of no other Premonstratensian houses in Wales and Talley itself was only poorly endowed. Some of the descendants of the Lord Rhys continued to support the abbey with endowments such as grants of land However, Talley was never wealthy.
Most of the original monastic building has now fallen and only the abbey church and part of the cloister remain. Immediately below the modern western entrance gate, there is evidence of the original ambitious plan for the church. Following the foundation of the Abbey, the monks at Talley were drawn into a lengthy and expensive law suit against the abbot at the Cistercian house of Whitland. The cost of such a process may explain the abandonment of these plans.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Talley Abbey, South Wales, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
Open site all year round
Open sites are unstaffed and open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10.00 and 16.00 daily.
Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.
