Ewenny Priory

Last updated

Ewenny Priory
Ewenny Priory Church.jpg
"The most complete and impressive Norman ecclesiastical building in Glamorgan"
TypePriory
Location Ewenny, Vale of Glamorgan
Coordinates 51°29′20″N3°34′03″W / 51.4888°N 3.5676°W / 51.4888; -3.5676
Architectural style(s) Romanesque
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameEwenny Priory Church
Designated26 July 1963
Reference no.11250
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameChurch of St Michael
Designated26 July 1963
Reference no.11251
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameNorth Tower and attached stretch of precinct wall at Ewenny Priory (house)
Designated3 March 1998
Reference no.19470
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameNorth Gatehouse at Ewenny Priory (house)
Designated3 March 1998
Reference no.19462
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameSouth Gatehouse at Ewenny Priory (house)
Designated3 March 1998
Reference no.19471
Vale of Glamorgan UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location of Ewenny Priory in Vale of Glamorgan

Ewenny Priory (Welsh : Priordy Ewenni), in Ewenny in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, was a monastery of the Benedictine order, founded in the 12th century. The priory was unusual in having extensive military-style defences and in its state of preservation; the architectural historian John Newman described it as “the most complete and impressive Norman ecclesiastical building in Glamorgan”. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, parts of the priory were converted into a private house by Sir Edward Carne, a lawyer and diplomat. This Elizabethan house was demolished between 1803 and 1805 and replaced by a Georgian mansion, Ewenny Priory House. The house is still owned by the Turbervill family, descendants of Sir Edward. The priory is not open to the public apart from the Church of St Michael, the western part of the priory building, which continues to serve as the parish church (Church in Wales) for the village. The priory is in the care of Cadw and is a Grade I listed building.

Contents

History

The priory was founded by Maurice de Londres in 1141. [1] Maurice granted the Norman church of St. Michael to the abbey of St. Peter at Gloucester, now Gloucester Cathedral, together with the church of St Brides Major and the chapel at Ogmore "in order that a convent of monks might be formed". [1] [a] The church had been built in the 12th century by his father, William de Londres, one of the Norman knights of Glamorgan. [1]

There had been an older, monastic cell on the site, of the Celtic church. It is described in the 12th century Book of Llandaff as dedicated to Eguenni, an early Welsh saint. De Londres plundered the site with the intent of building a castle on it but was stopped by a decree from Pope Honorius II dated 12 April 1128 which threatened De Londres with excommunication.

The priory was dissolved in 1536 by which time its complement of monks totalled only three. [3] It was leased in the same year to Sir Edward Carne. [4] Carne was a lawyer and diplomat, and held a number of positions at the courts of Henry VIII and of his successors. [5] [b] In 1545 he purchased the priory, along with its possessions and began the construction of Ewenny Priory House, incorporating many of the priory structures. The Carnes also established two deer parks on the estate, one for fallow and one for red deer. [7] The estate descended in the Carne family to Edward Carne (died 1650) who was succeeded by his two daughters and co-heirs, Blanche and Martha. Blanche (died 1685) inherited Ewenny, and married her cousin Colonel Sir John Carne (died 1682), of Corntown. Their son Richard Carne (c.1669-1713) was succeeded by his two sisters and co-heirs, Frances (died 1714), the wife of Edward Turbervill of Sutton, and Jane (died 1741). Edward and Frances Turbervill were succeeded by their son Richard Turbervill, who became the sole owner of the Ewenny estate on the death of his aunt in 1741.

By the late 18th century, the Carne house was in a state of dereliction; John Byng the diarist described it as a “miserable mansion” following a visit in 1787. [8] In 1803-1805 the Elizabethan house was demolished and a new Georgian building constructed by Richard Turbervill Picton. He was succeeded by his son Richard Turvervill Turbervill (died 1848), who was succeeded in turn by his brother Colonel Gervase Powell Turberville, who died childless c.1862. The estate then passed to his great-nephew Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Picton-Warlow (died 1892), who changed his name to Thomas Picton-Turbervill in 1867 and from him passed down in the Picton-Turbervill family for several generations. [9]

J. M. W. Turner painted the priory during his third tour of Wales in 1795. [10]

The priory church and much of the complex is now in the care of Cadw. [11] Ewenny Priory House and its gardens remain a private residence of the Picton-Turbervill family who also operate the house as a wedding venue. [12] St Michael's Church continues to serve as the parish church for the village. [13] The church underwent reconstruction in the early 21st century, including the installation of a glass screen designed by Alexander Beleschenko which divided it from the unused eastern part of the building. [14]

Architecture and description

The priory site is broadly rectangular and stands on the southern bank of the Ewenny River. [4] The priory church stands to the east, with walls to the east, north and west. The site was originally fully enclosed but the southern range was destroyed during the construction of Ewenny Priory House in the very early 19th century. [15] The walls are pierced by two gatehouses to the north and south and three towers to the north, west and east. [4] The priory site is generally in a good state of preservation; aside from the building of the house from 1803 to 1805, and a “conservative restoration” undertaken by Thomas Picton Turbervill between 1869 and 1886, it has seen little development. John Newman, in his 1995 edition, Glamorgan of the Pevsner Buildings of Wales series, describes the priory church as the “most complete and impressive Norman ecclesiastical building in Glamorgan.” [1]

The scale of the defensive works built around a minor priory has puzzled historians. Michael Salter, in his study Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower, suggests that the extensive defences were primarily for show, citing the absence of any defensive ditch, the weakness of the positioning and the large extent of the complex which would have required a very considerable force to defend. [16] Elisabeth Whittle supports this analysis, describing the complex's defences as "a façade, a show of strength built only to impress", but notes that the scale and solidity of the construction are indeed impressive. [4] Newman also considers the walls were built for display, rather than to “afford serious protection”, but is uncertain as to why “such a small and relatively poor community felt it should put on such an expensive show”. [17]

The priory church is a notable, and rare, example of Romanesque architecture with rounded arches, barrel vaulting and geometric decoration. [3] The cruciform plan of the church is also typical of the period and style. [1] Simon Jenkins critiques the Beleschenko screen, installed in 2004, as breaking the “spatial integrity of the interior”. [18]

Listing designations

The priory complex has a large number of listed buildings. Those at Grade I include: the eastern [19] and western parts of the priory church; [20] the original West doorcase, now sited in the East wall of the priory enclosure; [21] the North Tower, [22] and the North [23] and South Gatehouses; [24] and the wall standing on the western side of the site. [25] Buildings designated Grade II* include: Ewenny Priory House; [26] a barn; [27] a medieval fish pond; [28] the wall that encloses the eastern side of the precinct; [29] and the former South East Tower. [30] Those structures listed at Grade II include: the North, [31] West, [32] and East ranges of the stable courtyard; [33] the precinct wall to the north-east; [34] a wall running between the northern and southern gatehouses; [35] and a gateway and wall which forms part of the 19th-century remodelling of the grounds. [36]

The priory is also a scheduled monument, [37] as is the Romanesque Gateway, [38] the dovecote, [39] the North [40] and South Gatehouses, [41] the barn, [42] the stables, [43] the precinct walls, [44] and Ewenny Priory House. [45] The grounds are designated Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. [46]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Maurice de Londres' tomb is located in the priory church at Ewenny. [2]
  2. ↑ Sir Edward Carne ultimately fell out with Elizabeth I and declined to return to England from his diplomatic posting in Rome, for fear that his Catholicism would lead to the forfeiture of his estates. He died in the city in 1560 and is buried in the Church of St Andrew and St Gregory. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monmouth Priory</span> Benedictine priory in Monmouth, Wales

Monmouth Priory, in Priory Street, Monmouth, Wales, is a building that incorporates the remains of the monastic buildings attached to St Mary's Priory Church. The priory was a Benedictine foundation of 1075, and parts of the mediaeval buildings remain. The buildings were substantially redeveloped in the nineteenth century for use as St Mary's National School, and now form a community centre. The complex is a Grade II* listed building as of 27 June 1952. It is one of 24 sites on the Monmouth Heritage Trail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Listed buildings in Cardiff</span> Protected buildings in Cardiff, Wales

There are around 1,000 listed buildings in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. A listed building is one considered to be of special architectural, historical or cultural significance, which is protected from being demolished, extended or altered, unless special permission is granted by the relevant planning authorities. The Welsh Government makes decisions on individual cases, taking advice from the heritage agency Cadw, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and local councils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grade I listed buildings in the Vale of Glamorgan</span>

There are 33 Grade I listed buildings in the Vale of Glamorgan all of which are churches and priory buildings, castles, country or manor houses and associated structures such as churchyard crosses and a dovecote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grade II* listed buildings in the Vale of Glamorgan</span>

In the United Kingdom, the term listed building refers to a building or other structure officially designated as being of special architectural, historical, or cultural significance; Grade II* structures are those considered to be "particularly important buildings of more than special interest". Listing was begun by a provision in the Town and Country Planning Act 1947. Once listed, strict limitations are imposed on the modifications allowed to a building's structure or fittings. In Wales, the authority for listing under the Planning Act 1990 rests with Cadw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadoxton Court Dovecote</span> Dovecote in Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

Cadoxton Court Dovecote is a medieval structure in Cadoxton, in the Vale of Glamorgan, south Wales. Dating from the 13th century, it is the largest of the remaining medieval dovecotes in the Vale and a Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hygga House Dovecote, Trellech</span> Dovecote in Monmouthshire, Wales

The Dovecote, Hygga, Trellech, Monmouthshire is a late 16th-century dovecote, in an unusually complete state of preservation. Part of the service buildings for the, now demolished, Hygga House, the dovecote is a Grade II* listed building and a scheduled monument.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough</span> List of buildings in county borough of Wales

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough is located in the historic county of Glamorgan in Wales and takes its name from its largest town. The county borough covers an area of 111 km2 (43 sq mi) and had a population of approximately 58,900 in 2021. There are three sites on the register of parks and gardens in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough. Two are listed at Grade II*, and one is Grade II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Monmouthshire</span> List of buildings in the county of Wales

Monmouthshire is a county of Wales. It borders Torfaen and Newport to the west; Herefordshire and Gloucestershire to the east; and Powys to the north. The largest town is Abergavenny, with other large settlements being Chepstow, Monmouth, and Usk. The present county was formed under the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, which came into effect in 1996. It has an area of 850 km2 (330 sq mi), with a population of 93,200 as of 2021. Monmouthshire comprises some sixty per cent of the historic county, and was known as Gwent between 1974 and 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Anglesey</span> List of buildings in county of Wales

The Isle of Anglesey, a principal area off the north-west coast of Wales, includes the islands of Anglesey, Holy Island and some islets and skerries. It covers an area of 711 km2 (275 sq mi) and in 2021 the population was approximately 68,900.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Bridgend County Borough</span> List of buildings in county borough of Wales

Bridgend County Borough is a county borough in south-east Wales. It covers an area of 251 km2 (97 sq mi). In 2021 the population was approximately 145,800.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Caerphilly County Borough</span> List of buildings in county borough of Wales

Caerphilly County Borough is a county borough in south-east Wales. It covers an area of 227 km2 (88 sq mi). In 2021 the population was approximately 176,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan</span> List of buildings in county borough of Wales

The Vale of Glamorgan is a county borough in south-east Wales. It covers an area of 331 km2 (128 sq mi) and in 2021 the population was approximately 132,500.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Neath Port Talbot</span> List of buildings in county borough of Wales

Neath Port Talbot is a county borough in South Wales. It covers an area of 441 km2 (170 sq mi) and in 2021 the population was approximately 141,900.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Swansea</span> List of buildings in county of Wales

The City and County of Swansea is a principal area in south Wales. It covers an area of 380 km2 (150 sq mi) and in 2021 the population was approximately 237,800.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Carmarthenshire</span> List of buildings in county of Wales

Carmarthenshire is a county in the south-west of Wales. It covers an area of 2,370 km2 (920 sq mi). In 2021 the population was approximately 188,200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Pembrokeshire</span> List of buildings in county of Wales

Pembrokeshire is a county in the south-west of Wales. It covers an area of 1,619 km2 (625 sq mi). In 2021 the population was approximately 123,700.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Ceredigion</span> List of buildings in county of Wales

Ceredigion is a county in the west of Wales. It covers an area of 1,785 km2 (689 sq mi) and in 2021 the population was approximately 70,700.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Newport</span> List of buildings in county borough of Wales

Newport is a city and county borough in the south of Wales. It covers an area of 190 km2 (73 sq mi) and in 2021 the population was approximately 159,700.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registered historic parks and gardens in Conwy County Borough</span> List of buildings in county borough of Wales

Conwy County Borough is a county borough in the north of Wales. It covers an area of 1,126 km2 (435 sq mi) and had a population of approximately 114,800 in 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Newman 1995, p. 343.
  2. ↑ Kenyon 2010, p. 129.
  3. 1 2 Whittle 1992b, p. 164.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Whittle 1992b, p. 165.
  5. ↑ "Sir Edward Carne (1495/6-1561)". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Dodd, Arthur Herbert. "Sir Edward Carne (c.1500-1561)". Dictionary of Welsh Biography . National Library of Wales . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  7. ↑ Whittle 1992a, p. 24.
  8. ↑ "Ewenny Priory" (PDF). RCAHMW. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Ewenny Estate Records". Glamorganshire Archive Services. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Transept of Ewenny Priory, Glamorganshire". National Museum Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Cadw. "Ewenny Priory Church (Grade I) (11250)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "Ewenny Priory". Ewenny Priory Estate. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Fox 1954, p. 50.
  14. ↑ "Ewenny Priory Church of St Michael". Caroe and Partners. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  15. ↑ Whittle 1992b, p. 166.
  16. ↑ Salter 2002, p. 75.
  17. ↑ Newman 1995, p. 346.
  18. ↑ Jenkins 2008, p. 156.
  19. ↑ Cadw. "Ewenny Priory Church (Grade I) (11250)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  20. ↑ Cadw. "St Michael's Church (Grade I) (11251)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  21. ↑ Cadw. "Romanesque gateway in former east precinct wall at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade I) (19466)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  22. ↑ Cadw. "North Tower and attached stretch of precinct wall at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade I) (19470)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  23. ↑ Cadw. "North Gatehouse at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade I) (19462)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  24. ↑ Cadw. "South Gatehouse at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade I) (19471)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  25. ↑ Cadw. "West Precinct Wall at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade I) (19460)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  26. ↑ Cadw. "Ewenny Priory House (Grade II*) (11249)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  27. ↑ Cadw. "Ewenny Priory (Grade II*) (19463)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  28. ↑ Cadw. "Medieval fishpool in W part of Ewenny Priory (house) gardens (Grade II*) (19469)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  29. ↑ Cadw. "East Precinct Wall at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade II*) (19465)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  30. ↑ Cadw. "Former South East Tower at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade II*) (19467)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  31. ↑ Cadw. "Stable Court North Range at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade II) (19472)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  32. ↑ Cadw. "Stable Court West Range at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade II) (19474)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  33. ↑ Cadw. "Stable Court East Range at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade II) (19473)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  34. ↑ Cadw. "North East precinct Wall at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade II) (19461)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  35. ↑ Cadw. "Garden wall linking northern and southern gatehouses at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade II) (19464)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  36. ↑ Cadw. "Garden gateway with gates and attached wall at Ewenny Priory (house) (Grade II) (19468)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  37. ↑ "Ewenny Priory (143)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  38. ↑ "Ewenny Priory (309109)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  39. ↑ "Ewenny Priory Dovecot (37532)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  40. ↑ "Ewenny Priory North Gatehouse (309102)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  41. ↑ "Ewenny Priory South Gatehouse (309108)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  42. ↑ "Ewenny Barn (414427)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  43. ↑ "Ewenny Priory Stables (37533)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  44. ↑ "Ewenny Priory Precinct Walls (300298)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  45. ↑ "Ewenny Priory House (308)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  46. ↑ Cadw. "Ewenny Priory (PGW(Gm)14(GLA))". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 August 2022.

Sources

Images

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.