Faith, Money, Toil, Inferno……more Toil and then Turmoil!

Valle Crucis Abbey, Llangollen, North Wales

Valle Crucis is the old Latin name for this valley…The Valley of the Cross and refers to a very early cross close by.  The Abbey, of the Cistercian Faith, was founded in 1201 and monies from Madog ap Gruffudd Maelor was used for the original construction. But then a cycle of troubles hit the Abbey. First in 1236 fire destroys much of the community.   Rebuilding work begins.  1276 then sees the start of Edward I war against Llywelyn who has decided to stand firm in this Welsh enclave against the English.  Then and in the  subsequent war of 1282 the abbey suffered much damage.  Compensation is then agreed, by Edward I in 1283, to repair the damages.  Repairs appear to take some time and it is only in 1330 that the West Front is rebuilt. Black Death in 1349 strikes.  Again in 1400 conflict again causes damage,this time it is the 10 year revolt by Owen Glyn Dwr. 1455 see’s a brief upturn in the Abbeys fortunes and ‘Grand Apartments’ are built for the Abbot.  But decline again returns; but the Abbeys fate was finally sealed when they had to surrender the Abbey to King Henry VIII.  Although the building was sold into private hands the building, as was the fashion, was stripped of lead, glass and stone. In 1586 it was declared a ruin. Parts of the West Range were adapted to private occupation and a cottage was even built in the grounds.. ….Enter the Artists and Tourism Boom of the 1800’s when the Abbey ruins soon find new friends who are keen to restore what they can.  The West Front was first followed by a buttress on the East.  Today it is in the Public domain and look after by Cadw (www.cadw.wales.gov.uk) who make it a worth while piece of Welsh History* to visit…..Valle Crucis Abbey can now rest in peace…..and you can join me in a brief tour of the ruins……

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Valle Crucis (Valley of the Cross) from the Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen.

*  P.S.  My account of the historical turmoil around the Abbey is obviously truncated but I do hope the essential events give you the feeling of events all those years ago.

24th July

© David Oakes 2014

Posted 29th.