Haughmond Abbey - Knowledge

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herbs, which contained a dovecote in the 15th century. The present guidebook suggests that the dorter was divided in the 15th century to provide quarters for the prior, the abbot's deputy. However, the text of the 1459 agreement between Abbot Richard Burnell and the canons, covering the responsibilities of the prior, suggests that the prior's quarters were under the dorter, with an entrance from the cloister, next to the parlour, and access to Longnor's garden at the rear. They had been refurbished at considerable cost and effort by a former prior, William of Shrewsbury, then still living, and were to pass to his successors only after his death. At the southern end of the dorter, a doorway led to the

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series of sculptures of saints was added to them in the 14th century. The chapter house was substantially remodelled in the 16th century, perhaps subsequent to the complaints about its condition under Abbot Pontesbury. There is no trace of the original seating, which would have allowed the canons to sit around the walls of the building. The chapter house was demolished after the dissolution, apart from the western arches and south side, with another building taking its place. This was fitted with an impressive moulded, wooden ceiling, probably moved from another part of the abbey. This remains in place. The parlour would have been next to the chapter house but nothing remains of it.

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on a far more modest scale. The large and impressive abbot's hall, with its great west window of six lights, was built in the 14th century, partly over some of the 12th-century abbot's buildings. Below the window doorways led to the service buildings: remains and traces of these mainly 12th-century structures are still visible beyond the western end of the hall. This southern end of the site was considerably modified but preserved after the dissolution, when it was used as a family residence.

4190: 4131: 3650: 6517: 3046:– a friendly agreement – between the two houses. This stated that the abbot was to visit Ranton at least annually. It gave the canons of Ranton full voting rights in elections for the abbot, although in elections for their own prior, they were to choose a canon from Ranton and another from Haughmond, with the abbot having the final say. They were free to regulate the membership of the priory, so long as all canons pledged obedience to the abbot. 3553:, a canon of nearby Lilleshall. Like Mirk, Audelay seems very aware of the distinction between internal criticism, however trenchant, and heretical dissent. He drew a clear distinction between the work of conscientious priests and the conduct of worldly clerics. His strong emphasis on respect for the divine service may reflect his own sense of responsibility for the events of 1417. Occasionally he comments on topical concerns, as in a poem on 510: 139: 4273:

Haughmond the canons had to cross the cloisters, in all weathers, and all times of day and night. There are traces of an early 12th-century church, found during excavations, close to the south transept. However, the easily discerned cruciform plan of the late 12th-century building provides the main framework. The natural upward slope to the east was used to create a symbolism of spiritual ascent, with steps leading from the

22: 3008: 165: 396:. The land grant at least is generally thought to date from Matilda's time at Oxford in the summer of 1141, when she temporarily had the upper hand in the civil war. The abbey took the precaution of getting Stephen's approval for these valuable gifts – assuming that Stephen's grant of the same property actually was later, which is not absolutely certain. When Henry, Duke of Normandy, the future 354:, in consideration of his shrievalty, and were given to Alan after the death of Rainald's son, Hugh. One of the most important was Upton Magna, in which Haughmond Abbey was located. Eyton places the handover earlier, around the time of a royal expedition to Shropshire in 1109. It is possible that Alan was the founder of the original priory, or even that it began before his time, as a small 3172:

supplied fresh from the further fisheries. Ranulf of Chester's grant allowed the canons to purchase annually 6000 salted herrings. These were bought at Chester on special terms. In the 12th century the abbey was granted half a swarm of bees in the woods at Hardwick: it may be that mead was made, although honey had a symbolic connection with the austere life because of its association with

91:, and some of their wealthier vassals and allies. It was a substantial, successful and wealthy house for most of its four centuries, although evidence of abuses appeared before its dissolution in 1539. The buildings fell into disrepair and the church was largely destroyed, although the remains of some of the domestic buildings remain impressive. The site is now in the care of 2585:; this would generate a substantial entry fine on each appointment. Churches provided a steady stream of income, with little cost and effort. Haughmond appropriated the churches listed above in the 12th century: Stoke, Shawbury (including its dependent chapels), Cheswardine, Ruyton XI Towns, Nefyn and Treseglwys. In addition it later appropriated the following churches: 150: 488:, confirming the early grants, giving the abbey extra-parochial status, including the right to bury whoever willed it, and conferring on the canons the right to elect their own abbot. The king added still more charters when he was at Shrewsbury later in his reign, probably in 1176, updating the list of endowments conferred upon the abbey by that time. 3061:, which was still less explicable, as it had no control at all over Wombridge. Haughmond eventually got Bricett to drop its suit for a single payment of 40 shillings. However, the underlying tension resurfaced between Ranton, a fairly large house to be considered merely a cell, and Haughmond. After an appeal to the papacy, an enquiry set up by Bishop 379:, is an example. At Haughmond, the remains of a very modest early church were discovered beneath the floor of the later, more ambitious building, during the 1907 excavations: this may date back to the time of Prior Fulk or earlier. Despite these reservations and qualifications, the most recent account of William Fitz-Alan, in the 4227:

frater above, and by a door to the kitchens, which lay along the western side of the little cloister. The large fireplaces in the west wall of the kitchen range are still very prominent. The frater, being on the upper floor, has gone, but the main cloister wall closest its entrance has two large, arched niches that contained the

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the abbot. This was much less prevalent at Haughmond, with its more concentrated estates, although it seems there was sometimes a need for canons to stay at Nefyn, where there was a canons' house in the early 14th century. There were also facilities, including chapels, for canons and abbots to stay on some of the

4107:. They include: the foundations and west cloister doorway of the late 12th- and early 14th-century church; the late 12th-century chapter house (which is still roofed); the west wall of the warming house and dorter; the walls of the frater and its undercroft; and the early 13th century infirmary, flanked by the 241:, the assiduous Victorian historian of Shropshire, critically considered the cartulary evidence in his 1856 study of the Haughmond's origins, pointing out that it was impossible for all the facts asserted to be true, as William FitzAlan is known to have been still a youth in 1138, when he became involved in 2861:

portfolio. The acquisition policy of the abbey tended to strengthen this advantage, deliberately buying or requesting grants of adjoining estates to increase local concentrations of land. Beyond Leebotwood, for example, the abbey built up a large composite of holdings. A grant by Henry II of meadow on the

270:– the first clear indication that the community existed. FitzAlan's grant names the leader of the community as Prior Fulk. Augustinian communities were generally counted as priories, although large, entirely independent houses were called abbeys. The grant also mentions that the monastery was dedicated to 4308:

The remains of the canon's dorter or dormitory are slight. It was probably a two-storey building, with the bottom floor used for storage – like the frater – and for a warming house. At the northern end, the dorter is backed by Longnor's Garden, the area set out by the abbot for culinary and medicinal

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Quod iidem prior et conventus habeant de caetero novam coquinam, pro refectorio assignatam, quam aedificari celeriter faciemus in qua parari faciant per coquum eorum specialem, cibaria eorum quae ad coquinam pertinent, de quibus ministrabitur eisdem, diebus singulis, per canonicos et ministros ad hoc

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Augustinians were expected to observe strict protocols in contacts with outsiders, to travel only with their abbot's permission and never to sleep alone. One of the problems at Lilleshall was that canons were often forced to undertake expeditions to the outlying estates, outside direct supervision of

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but only a little is known about the precise interpretation of the rule that prevailed or how well it was followed. Generally, a financially solvent house was likely to have a better religious life, and Haughmond was generally well run. After the mid-14th century there were never more than 13 canons,

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However, it is not certain that William FitzAlan founded or was the first to endow the community. Leland repeats the persistent story that "there was an hermitage and a chapell before the erectynge of the abbey". This suggests some value in considering the founding of the FitzAlan fortunes by William

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of the abbot's private quarters. This is of very late date – probably the second half of the 15th century. The accommodation for the abbots became steadily more luxurious and more private throughout the history of the abbey. Beyond the window are remains of the 12th-century abbot's rooms, which were

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on the premises and this must have absorbed some of the food supplies. The kitchener was ordered to render account to the abbot four times a year. A cellarer was responsible for the supply of both beer and bread, including that required at the abbey's granges. the abbot ate from the same kitchens as

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around the abbey site, which were granted by an early charter of Henry II. These signalled that the abbey was closely associated politically with the Angevin dynasty. This was reinforced by the appointment of Alured, the king's former tutor, as abbot, probably in the 1160s. It was Alured who in 1172

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in 1104, He seems to have taken an interest in donations of his own to religious houses, as at some point he gave a manor to Norwich Cathedral, a gift the king promised "to confirm when Alan comes to my court" – evidently a regular occurrence. Only later does he appear as a witness to an order given

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either side of the opening. This is on the south side of the church's western end – an austere choice, apparently unaltered. Lilleshall and most similar abbeys had their processional door near close to the transept and dorter, and many had night stairs for the convenience of the monks or canons. At

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to the south from the larger northern cloister. The undercroft was the main storage area for provisions, which were brought in through its western entrance from the abbey grounds. A sluice supplied by a stream is on the northern side of the undercroft. The undercroft linked via service steps to the

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The distribution maps available above show that the abbey's assets were heavily concentrated, tending to form natural groups, in Shropshire. This was a major advantage that Haughmond had over nearby Lilleshall, which always suffered from the running costs associated with a widely dispersed property

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Fundata est Abbathia de Haghmon anno domini millesimo centesimo et in anno ultimo regni Regis Willielmi Rufi et anno regni Regis Henrici primi primo, per Willielmum filium Alani, ut patet in pluribus, et specialiter in duobus Bullis sub plumbo Alexandri Papae Tercii vocantis eum Fundatorem predicti

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The abbey site would have been enclosed by a perimeter ditch but this is no longer apparent. The precinct is still partly enclosed by a wall of undressed stone, around the south and west sides. The entrance to the abbey was about 130 metres north of the church, where the gatehouse has been traced.

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of 1535 reckoned the net annual value of Haughmond at £259 13s. 7¼d. The annual income at dissolution was actually reckoned at more than £350, as the new estimate included the abbey site and the granges of Homebarn and Sundorne, missed in earlier calculations. There was a £200 threshold set by the

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who collected rents and tithes were instructed not to travel alone, and canons residing away from the abbey were ordered to be recalled. In 1354, the canons were criticised for their love of hunting. For most of the abbey's history, however, the criticisms were few and infrequent, and it is likely

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The concentration of property reflected the circumstances of the abbey's foundation by a powerful territorial dynasty that maintained its interest in the Marches for at least two centuries. As William FitzAlan was always recognised as founder, a Henry II's charter of about 1176 gave his successors

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The diet at Haughmond seems to have been relatively varied and less austere than in most monastic institutions. In 1280 147 sheep and a calf were supplied to the abbey. Tithes of sea fish were exacted at Nefyn and the abbey had fisheries on the Dee and Severn, but it seems unlikely that fish were

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The FitzAlans also motivated their vassals and allies to follow their example in making grants. This was especially so of the Lestranges, and most especially of the Knockin branch of the family. Their interest and protection continued down the centuries, with repeated grants of land and loans. In

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Despite his reservations about the self-contradictory sources, Eyton concluded that the foundation date lay between 1130 and 1138 and that the founder of the abbey "in all respects was the first William Fitz-Alan". However, William FitzAlan's grant of the Preston Boats fish weir, around 1135, was

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repeated the cartulary's story of the foundation, with the slight variation of placing the date in 1101. A 13th century chronicle, written locally, gives the date as 1110. Eyton seized upon the earliest charter in the cartulary as giving a fairly secure date. In it, William FitzAlan grants to the

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Diet seems to have been improved in the early 14th century by the same process of earmarking revenues to it. In 1332 Abbot Nicholas of Longnor, as part of a more general package of reforms, issued an ordinance on the abbey's culinary arrangements. This allocated the proceeds from the churches at

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The chapter house is of exceptional quality and in a good state of preservation. It is fronted by three heavily decorated round arches of the late 13th century, the larger centre arch a doorway and the flanking arches originally windows. The shafts between were built with carved capitals, but a

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There would have been other buildings serving the community and its guests between the gatehouse and the church but these too remain only in bare outline. The remains of the artificial landscape created in the Middle Ages are discernible further to the north. A reservoir and three possible

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In the absence of much documentary evidence, the abbey's art may shed some light on the values held dear by the community. In the 14th century a number of figures were carved on the previously plain shafts of the arches at the processional entrance to the church and at the entrance to the

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in 1547, and soon after sold Haughmond to the Barker family. During this period the Abbot's Hall and adjoining rooms were converted into a private residence, although the church and dormitory were already being plundered for building stone. Some of the other buildings around the little

3666:, which left Haughmond and Lilleshall in being. However, the precedent and the storm of criticism unleashed by the dissolution of the majority of religious houses intimidated many of the more successful institutions into surrender. Haughmond took this step in 1539, the year before the 3120:

was probably simply of undyed wool and may reinforce suggestions that Haughmond was an independent eremitic community before it was absorbed, with all such groups, into the Augustinian order. A local chronicle notes that Haughmond adopted the typical Augustinian black habit in 1234.

124: 104: 3200:, which we will cause to be built with all speed; in which they may cause to be prepared by their special cook such food as pertains to the kitchen of that which shall be served to them, every day, by the canons and ministers appointed to that end by them by leave of the abbot". 3072:

in Leicestershire were ordered by its founder, Robert Grimbald, to live "according to the order of the church of Haughmond". As Haughmond seems to have been an entirely normal Augustinian house, this must mean following its example in rigorously pursuing the Augustinian rule.

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Pontesbury was abbot from 1488 to about 1521. His failings seem to have been mainly in management both of resources and people, revealed in visitations in 1518 and 1521. Because revenues were being misapplied, the buildings were in need of repair, particularly the infirmary,

460:. He also declared he would increase the number of canons at Wroxeter, thus benefiting Wroxeter and Haughmond simultaneously. He declared this was "so that they might have a full convent", implying that he intended the church to evolve into a college, probably as a family 249:

reign. Moreover, of the two bulls concerning the abbey issued by Alexander III in 1172, one does not mention the foundation at all, while the other does attribute it to William FitzAlan but does not give a date. Around the time of the dissolution, the traveller and

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to Haughmond in the event of failure. However, Haughmond, like other Augustinian houses in the region, was not noted for its scholarship. The only Haughmond canon to achieve academic eminence was John Ludlow, who was a scholar at St Mary's, and headed it as

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on earth. Each of them received a generous pension: the abbot £40 a year, the prior £8, and the canons either £5 6s. 8d. or £6 each. Two canons did not sign, William Rolfe who received a pension of £7, and Richard Doone, who received only 40 shillings.

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custody of the abbey whenever the position of abbot was vacant. The first William FitzAlan was buried in Shrewsbury Abbey, but subsequent heads of the family were buried at Haughmond for over 150 years. Even after the FitzAlans acquired the prestigious

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the canons and could feed guests free of charge when on the premises, but he, the steward and the chaplain were to feed themselves when away from the abbey. Abbot Longnor established a substantial garden at the abbey and in later centuries a

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From the western side of the ruins, the abbot's hall window remains the dominant structure, but walls of the kitchen and dining areas and of the main cloister are easily made out beyond it. It is possible to walk through the entrance to the

4111:'s lodging to the east. Apart from a few walls, little else has survived from the western side of the site and, at the northern edge, the abbey church has completely disappeared – although the cruciform ground plan is still clearly visible. 3285: 3719:. There was a fire during the Civil War and it left the hands of the wealthy, being turned over for use as a farm. A small cottage still stood in the area of the former abbots kitchen when the ruins were placed in the guardianship of the 3750:

In 2023 the former ticket office and museum were refurbished by English Heritage and have now reopened to provide a small exhibition space and information point selling guidebooks. The site is now staffed by English Heritage volunteers.

3229:"We agree also for our ourself and our successors that at any time of the year they may have in common the piggery of the house which is without the gate, and twenty pigs at the common cost of the house, for furnishing their larder". 358:

community, towards the end of the 11th century. Another possibility is that the community was established or nurtured by Alan's widow, variously named as Adelina, Avelina or Evelyn, who seems to have survived him by many years.

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was a noted 15th-century writer who resided at Haughmond. Audelay, a blind and deaf poet, was not an Augustinian canon but the first secular priest to serve in the Lestrange chantry. His accession date, 1426, is noted in a

400:, appeared in England in 1153, he was induced to issue a charter at Leicester, confirming his mother's grants. This strategy of obtaining triple grants during the Anarchy was followed also by Lilleshall Abbey. 3846: 391:

William FitzAlan took the side of the Empress and was exiled from the region from 1138 until at least 1153. However, endowments continued in FitzAlan's absence. The Empress gave Haughmond land and a mill in

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Concedimus etiam pro nobis et successoribus nostris, quod omni tempore anni habeant in communi porcariam domus quae est extra portam, viginti porcos ad sumptus communes domus, pro eorum lardaria faciendo

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took the throne, his supporter, William FitzAlan, finally regained his Shropshire estates. William then donated the church at Wroxeter to Haughmond. This was a portionary church – staffed by a number of

3084:. This led a series of legal proceedings involving Haughmond and the Hospitallers. Ultimately Haughmond agreed to hold the hospital of the Hospitallers for a payment of 20 shillings annually to their 2968:

was executed at Hereford in 1326, his body was buried there, despite his wish to be buried at Haughmond. Abbot Nicholas of Longnor protested and was able to have the body transferred to Haughmond.

3042:(1193-1205) seems very assertive in insisting that Ranton owes "obedience and subjection" to Haughmond. Relations seem to have been regulated by undated but probably later document, described as 2924:

In addition to land and churches, the abbey increasingly exploited mills, which increased in number over the centuries. As Dissolution approached in 1538, profits from the abbey's 21 grain and 5

4289:– a rise of about four metres. The church was about 60 metres (almost exactly 200 feet) in length – about the same as at Lilleshall, which it seems to have resembled closely – and originally 3614:

that monastic discipline was generally reasonably good. More serious criticisms came late in the history of the abbey, during the time of two abbots: Richard Pontesbury and Christopher Hunt.

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manor, into church for the region. After it acquired Aston Abbots, in the early 13th century, the community built up another large group of holdings east of Oswestry at Hisland, Twyford and

145:, Stephen's rival for the throne, depicted holding a charter. William FitzAlan endured two decades of exile in her cause. She and her son, Henry II, were important benefactors to the abbey. 4222:, below the great west refectory window, which would once have been an impressive structure when it was inserted in the 13th century. The refectory and its undercroft separated the little 4293:. However, an aisle and porch were added on the northern side in the 13th century. A chapel was added to the northern side of the presbytery in the 15th: this may have been the chapel of 3304: 2775: 4205:

The public entrance to the abbey site is now on the south side, where the extant ruins are at their most impressive. Visitors are confronted by the elaborately decorated, five-sided

3529:(1381–1449), and his entourage assaulted Sir John Trussell, on the second occasion killing a by-stander. Formerly regarded as little more than samples of the contemporary Shropshire 854: 3237:

Two loads of flour were requisitioned annually for pastry. It is unclear to what extent the large quantities of meat actually formed part of the monastic diet, as there was also an

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Hunstanton and Ruyton XI Towns, together with those of the Dee and Severn fisheries, to the purchase of meat and fish. Longnor arranged for a new set of kitchens to be constructed:

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dialect, Audelay's poems give considerable insight into the spiritual concerns of the age. Most reflect on the value of points of Christian doctrine or liturgy. His defence of the

3080:(1186-1224). In return it was to receive the manor of Wilcot. It is unclear whether this arrangement was ever implemented before Reiner also gave control over the hospital to the 5355:

G C Baugh, W L Cowie, J C Dickinson, Duggan A P, A K B Evans, R H Evans, Una C Hannam, P Heath, D A Johnston, Hilda Johnstone, Ann J Kettle, J L Kirby, R Mansfield and A Saltma.

3461:, is shown with her persecutor Caradog sinking into the ground. Facing her, St Michael the Archangel, armed with spear and shield, treads down and impales a dragon, representing 2616: 6790: 1638: 575: 2519: 3906: 1415: 1086: 682: 2242: 1527: 910: 6835: 4200:

Layout of the main abbey buildings, according to Mackenzie Walcott. Annotations in red indicate the main changes due to more recent archaeology, building and nomenclature.

3894: 3353: 2467: 2300: 2188: 1749: 1253: 738: 627: 4313:, the communal washing and latrine block. Although the facilities themselves have gone, there is a very clear length of stone drain, still supplied by a diverted stream. 3369: 2669: 2134: 2079: 1859: 1583: 1140: 1025: 2357: 2028: 1804: 1360: 1308: 2987:, to which they gave their name. The tombstone of a later family member, Olimpia de Say, is now displayed in the chapter house, having been discovered in the Cloister. 2722: 1973: 1693: 1473: 798: 4103:

dressings. At the highest points, floors and lower walls were made by shaping the red sandstone that underlies the site. Most of the buildings were grouped around two

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in 1453 and 1453: he became abbot of Haughmond in 1464. The abbey was supposed to maintain at least one canon at university but was fined 20 shillings in 1511 by the

3270: 3954: 4026: 3323: 3678:. A deed of surrender was drawn up on 19 September. The abbot, Thomas Corveser, the prior, John Colfox, and nine canons signed it by 16 October, acknowledging 6751: 367:

account tends to give more weight than Eyton to the possibility of an earlier origin. Augustinian communities often began as small gatherings around a noted

6263: 4651: 4297:, where the canons served the Le Strange chantry around 1480. Burials of lay benefactors took place in the church and elsewhere on the site: the graves of 6431: 3473:

The abbey must have built up a collection of books large enough to need separate accommodation, as Abbot Richard Pontesbury complained in 1518 that the

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to help in the work of the abbey, but they are never mentioned after 1190. There were, however, numerous paid officials and servants on the premises.

5751: 3834: 111:, showing the king on horseback. Alan FitzFlaad, founder of the FitzAlan family, seems to have made his fortune as part of Henry's military retinue. 4242:

like the little cloister, but open to the sky. It gave access to the main theatres of communal life: the refectory, the chapter house, the canons'

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View from west, showing entrance to the refectory undercroft, the main storage area for provisions, and above it the west window of the refectory.

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looks after the site. The site did have a small museum and shop, but this closed in 2017. The site is now free to enter and open all year round.

3164:, prohibited this practice, so Abbot Richard de Brock earmarked the revenues of Cheswardine church and of Nagington and Hisland to be given to a 2975:

was an important early benefactor, giving lands around Hodnet. His daughter, Isabella, was William FitzAlan's second wife. The male line of the

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As the wealth of the abbey increased, the rebuilding of the church and abbey was begun. Over the next twenty years it was constructed in a late

6388: 2909:. This had been specifically allowed by Henry II in some of his grants. To make administration easier, the estates were divided into 12 local 6820: 383:, simply treats him as the founder of the abbey, and it was certainly he who placed it on a secure basis, even if he was not the originator. 3882: 6830: 3870: 3255: 6805: 3156:

Arrangements for food and clothing altered over the years. Initially, canons were granted an annual allowance for clothing. In 1315, the

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The following is a list of notable properties donated to Haughmond Abbey in its first century, based on the account of the abbey in the

6800: 6795: 4050: 3630:. Worse still, canons were visiting Shrewsbury, a woman of ill-repute was frequenting the abbey, and there were boys in the dormitory. 3338: 3076:

It seems also that Haughmond was intended to provide a chantry service at St John's Hospital in Oswestry, which was founded by Reiner,

130:, who reigned 1135–1154. The civil wars of his reign were the context for the abbey's establishment. Although it was distinctively an 4327: 3990: 3930: 3663: 3049:

At some point, probably in the late 12th century, for reasons unknown, the dependence of the priory on Haughmond was challenged by

3622:, chapter house, and library. Pontesbury seems to have complained about this to the bishop as if he himself were not responsible. 3038:(1184–90) reaffirmed that it followed the rule of Haughmond. It is possible that there was friction, as a charter from Archbishop 6424: 3810: 2999:

at the abbey, although it was not until about 1426 that practical and legal difficulties were overcome to establish the chantry.

380: 6399: 3609:. These were particularly zealous in the early 14th century, and criticised administrative and moral failings. For example, the 6825: 4322: 4302: 3773: 2940: 277:

and this was to persist throughout its history: a statue of St John with his emblem can be found carved into the arches of the

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of the abbey begins with a statement of its foundation story, as understood at the time it was written down, probably in the

87:, England. It was probably founded in the early 12th century and was closely associated with the FitzAlan family, who became 3978: 3209:

Fuel, flour, peas, cheese, butter, and pottage were still to be provided from the general accounts. Longnor also ordained a

4077: 3788: 2965: 342:. It seems to have been around this time that he acquired the abbey site, along with other large estates in Shropshire and 3822: 517: 339: 5276: 3942: 3653:

Timber house at Haughmond Abbey, home of the Barker family for four generations after the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

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In the 15th century the abbey contributed to the upkeep of an Augustinian house of study at Oxford, which later became

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de Says ended with Elias and Isabella passed the estates to the family of her second husband, Geoffrey de Vere, son of

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and take 6000 salt fish free of tolls. Ranulf brought a number of Welsh magnates into the civil war, initially on the

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before meals. It is not clear how water was supplied to the lavers and all trace of the wash basins has disappeared.

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West side of the abbey, showing (from right) exterior of Abbot's hall, kitchens, refectory undercroft, main cloister.

3030:, was the only monastery institutionally dependent on Haughmond for a time. Its foundation charter states that it is 67: 4038: 2921:, canons with specific responsibilities for rent and tithe collection, were deputed by the abbots to keep in touch. 2822: 1018: 4253:

The church is the most completely ruined part of the site, with little in the way of upstanding walls. A single

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Although not dependent on Haughmond, there were other institutions under its spiritual influence. The canons of

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gave Ranton full independence, although it was required to pay an annual pension of 100 shillings to Haughmond.

5950: 3057:, which sued for recognition as the mother house. Bricett also demanded that Haughmond give up its control of 305:. He appeared in Henry I's company at least as early as September 1101, when he witnessed important grants to 6384: 4923: 4002: 2865:

marked the beginning of the venture. More benefactors contributed, especially the powerful Robert Corbet of

2562: 6810: 4014: 3691: 3637:, as well as incompetence and negligence. He admitted the fornication but claimed he had already performed 3573: 3569: 3130: 2597: 552: 6034: 5887: 5843: 5832: 5812: 5792: 5781: 5714: 5681: 5514: 5499: 5488: 5473: 5385: 5320: 5290: 5261: 5246: 5181: 5166: 5151: 5106: 5076: 5061: 5016: 4971: 4956: 4941: 4908: 4893: 4863: 4833: 4818: 4803: 4788: 4773: 4759: 4741: 4681: 4637: 4600: 4585: 4567: 4478: 4460: 4442: 4385: 4367: 6359: 6230: 5898: 5734: 5703: 5692: 5607: 5596: 5554: 5430: 5211: 5196: 5136: 5121: 5091: 5046: 5031: 5001: 4986: 4878: 4537: 4526: 4515: 4504: 4493: 3196:"That the prior and convent may have from henceforth, among other things, a new kitchen assigned for the 5655: 5575: 3549:, and the strategies of argument and exposition, are reminiscent of the work of his older contemporary, 6222: 3736: 3727: 3576:

seems to have organised the collection of funds for the project, as it bound itself to repay 40 pounds

3421:, murdered on the orders of Henry II, one of Haughmond's major benefactors, was a martyr whose cult at 3291: 3126: 351: 4727: 4713: 4699: 2849: 363:

clearly not a foundation grant: there was already a small but growing community when it was made. The

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continued as private accommodation, with the Little Cloister becoming a formal garden, up until the

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were appointed as soon as these communities became viable. Eyton traced in detail how the chapel at

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although the size of the buildings suggests numbers were considerably greater in earlier centuries.

2844: 4350: 3429:, seen as a virgin martyr, is portrayed with her wheel of martyrdom, taking revenge on the Emperor 3344: 2878: 1181: 562: 6711: 6532: 6288: 3542: 3426: 3413:, patron saint of the abbey, were obvious choices. The remaining saints were all illustrative of 3276: 2763: 2566: 2347: 498: 472: 364: 254: 246: 2839: 6645: 3522: 3314: 3295: 2229: 1514: 6177: 5356: 4239: 3679: 3512: 3261: 3109: 2399: 2342: 2175: 1466: 956: 428: 347: 5461: 3100:

allowed for many different styles of religious life. Haughmond was certainly a community of

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and the Emperor's wife, pictured within a letter E, as part of a manuscript illumination.

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was in need of repair. A small number of the books have survived: a Bible; a volume of

3406: 3405:, from which both the order and the abbey took their authority. For the chapter house, 3077: 2957: 1901: 779: 485: 449: 393: 290: 227: 215: 153: 108: 3633:

Pontesbury was replaced, but in 1522, his successor, Christopher Hunt, was accused of

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around the abbey site – both strategically important for the abbey's later prosperity.

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of a manuscript of his work and he signs off several poems with a self-description: "

2947: 1735: 839: 464:. If that was his intention, it never materialised. Notably, the donation refers to 408: 327: 306: 5752:"Haughmond Abbey, Shropshire: Archaeological Investigation Report Series AI/10/2003" 448:

at Wroxeter and send five canons to participate in the celebration of the feasts of

6663: 6550: 6540: 6503: 6475: 6456: 6268: 6246: 6242: 6226: 6204: 6069: 6050: 6046: 4656: 4305:(died c. 1292), both very important benefactors, are marked in the sanctuary area. 4290: 3744: 3731: 3671: 3489: 3458: 3434: 3310: 3173: 3097: 3058: 3035: 2980: 2662: 2293: 376: 331: 319: 286: 192: 127: 92: 88: 38: 6280: 6159: 6012: 4668: 479:, especially the Lestrange family. However, there were royal donations, including 468:, the Abbot of Haughmond, indicating that the house had grown in size and status. 6689: 6618: 6545: 6523: 6008: 6004: 3720: 3675: 3577: 3521:" It is known that Audelay had some involvement in disturbances at the church of 3485: 3398: 3117: 3034:– under the rule of the church of Haughmond – and the confirmation by Archbishop 1624: 784: 371:

before growing into established monasteries, or even small religious orders: the

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Bennett, Michael (1982). "John Audley: Some New Evidence on His Life and Work".

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side. This brought gifts of some Welsh churches to the abbey, including that at

6719: 6608: 6584: 6181: 4269: 4096: 3534: 3530: 3161: 3138: 3101: 2905:. Wherever estates adjoined uncultivated areas, the community took to vigorous 2834: 2604: 445: 437: 334:. Alan appears in this context among a group of Shropshire magnates, including 131: 6272: 4660: 2951:

Gravestones in chapter house. The broken stone in centre is of Olimpia de Say.

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in 1243, they continued to regard the abbey as theirs and to call the canons

2890: 2791: 2777: 2738: 2724: 2710: 2685: 2671: 2632: 2618: 2535: 2521: 2483: 2469: 2428: 2414: 2373: 2359: 2316: 2302: 2258: 2244: 2204: 2190: 2150: 2136: 2095: 2081: 2044: 2030: 1989: 1975: 1933: 1919: 1907: 1875: 1861: 1820: 1806: 1765: 1751: 1709: 1695: 1654: 1640: 1599: 1585: 1543: 1529: 1489: 1475: 1431: 1417: 1376: 1362: 1324: 1310: 1269: 1255: 1212: 1198: 1156: 1142: 1102: 1088: 1041: 1027: 985: 971: 926: 912: 870: 856: 814: 800: 754: 740: 698: 684: 643: 629: 591: 577: 335: 282: 278: 211: 6409: 6035:"The Monasteries of Shropshire: their origin and founders – Haughmond Abbey" 3912:

General view south-east across the little cloister to the abbot's residence.

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View of refectory site, showing undercroft and lavers at cloister entrance.

3649: 3610: 3507: 3069: 3026:, founded in the mid-12th century by Robert Fitz-Noel and dedicated to the 3019: 3012: 2918: 668: 568: 453: 285:. The witnesses were William FitzAlan's wife, Christiana, and his brother, 267: 210:

Haughmond Abbey was founded in AD 1100, the last year of the reign of King

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of the church shows fine foliage moulding, with the sculptured figures of

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in London at Easter 1417, in which his employer, Richard le Strange, 7th

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flank the church entrance used by the canons to enter the church for the

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www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Haughmond Abbey and surrounding area

5973: 2881:, was mostly waste when the canons arrived but quickly became excellent 2869:, and a substantial monastic estate took shape, known as the "domain of 6634: 6576: 4310: 4286: 4215: 4206: 4089: 4088:

The Haughmond Abbey buildings, like those at Lillsehall, show signs of

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Site of garden established by Abbot Nicholas of Longnor, elected 1325.

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General view south west across the small cloister to the abbot's hall.

3294:, with her wheel of martyrdom, exacting revenge on Emperor Maxentius. 3129:, including Leebotwood and Beobridge. As the canons were all ordained 6560: 6516: 4282: 4219: 4116: 4093: 3619: 3550: 3446: 3430: 3414: 3197: 2983:, Earl of Oxford. However, there was another branch of the family at 2910: 2906: 2862: 2768: 2453: 2283: 1294: 372: 251: 188: 6320:

A History of Wales from the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest

3541:. Pursuing his exposition, he brings in an example from the life of 2825: 4265: 4223: 4120: 4104: 3712: 3538: 3390: 3360: 3243: 3238: 2984: 2657: 2574: 2120: 1456: 1127: 1010: 420: 355: 164: 138: 76: 6241:. Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland: 281–310. 6045:. Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland: 145–153. 3246:

was installed there, providing another convenient source of meat.

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who gave the canons permission to turn their oratory at Stitt, in

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Churches formed a significant part of the abbey's wealth. Through

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Initially intended to assess the value of church properties, the

3638: 3623: 3546: 3394: 3376: 3210: 3142: 3054: 2996: 2925: 2882: 2877:, an ox, and meaning roughly "cattle shed". This land along the 2715: 2609: 2014: 1965: 1845: 1790: 962: 724: 476: 461: 323: 21: 3960:

Interior of chapter house, octagonal font from church in centre.

3537:, for example, is clearly shaped by his own daily concerns as a 3516: 3453:, who is spearing a dragon, a female counterpart to St Michael. 3425:

was the focus for medieval England's most important pilgrimage.

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evolved, under the abbey's control, into a parish church with a

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in the Lewis and Short Latin dictionary at the Perseus Project.

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in northern France, which had a Shropshire community at nearby

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at Morville, presumably a complication of the abolition of the

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and the king's viceroy in Shropshire, to deal with a disputed

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Breidden and Middletown Hills seen across the little cloister.

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and is open to the public throughout the year and free entry.

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The main cloister was a large, almost square, open area, not

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of Knockin, granted the church at Hanmer to fund a perpetual

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The Itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543

4552:, D C Cox, D T W Price, Margaret Tomlinson and B S Trinder. 4427:, D C Cox, D T W Price, Margaret Tomlinson and B S Trinder. 4071:

View NNW across the former horticultural areas of the abbey.

3698:, Staffordshire. Only two years later, Littleton sold it to 6068:, John Russell Smith, London, accessed 10 February 2015 at 4274: 4261: 4257: 4092:

architectural influence. The standing remains are of white

2976: 289:. The grant seems to date from the years around 1135, when 53: 47: 3626:

life was suffering because of lack of instruction for the

3492:, another French cleric; and a volume containing both the 3457:, a third virgin martyr, whose relics were kept at nearby 2577:

of the church and any chapels, allowing it to appoint the

3401:. These were the saints most closely associated with the 230:

designating him the founder of the aforementioned place.

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Haughmond Abbey, Lilleshall Abbey, Moreton Corbet Castle

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