Regency Destinations: Margam Abbey

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Of this renowned Abbey the existing remains convey but a very inadequate idea The parish church is formed out of part of the original abbey church of the chapter house the walls only remain and of the ruins scattered around the original use size and distribution have not yet been ascertained That it was an extensive edifice and exhibited in its style and proportions all the higher characteristics of Cistercian monasteries may be taken on the credit of what remains The foundation is fixed in the year 1147 and the process of erection must have been contemporaneous with that of Tinteme a temple of the same Order whose taste and affluence during that and the following century have left so many gorgeous monuments in England and Wales
MARGAN ABBEY MARGAM ANNALS DISASTERS ABBOTS 347 7 Dugdale fixes the date of Margam Abbey in the year 1147 It was founded by Robert Earl of Gloucester 80 often named in this work and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin In this also the annals of Margam written by a monk of the Abbey agree and mention the date of its foundation as that of the year in which the founder departed this life The chronicle printed in the second volume of Gale's Scriptores called Annales de Margam is a history of general scope extending from the year of the Conquest to that of 1232 and throws but little light upon the particular affairs of the Monastery in which it was written It is a history of the times not of the Abbey It gives the names however of four abbots mentions three or four incursions of the Welsh and remarks that Margam and Beaulieu in Hampshire were the only monasteries among the Cistercians that were released from King John's extortions in 1210 to which reference has been already made in our notice of Tinterne The plea upon which Margam escaped these severe taxations was that both in his progress to and from Ireland the King and his suite had been liberally entertained by the abbot and monks of Margam

The Castles and Abbeys of England, from the National Records, Early Chronicles and Other Standard Authors … Illustrated by Upwards of Two Hundred Engravings (1842)

In Glamorganshire, Wales, Margam Abbey sits. In the late 18th century, redevelopment took place on the buildings and grounds so that the gothic abbey became a ruin in 1799. In early 19th century the park was extended and the present Margam Castle constructed between 1830 and 1840 to serve as the main seat for Christopher Rice Mansel Tablot.

An intrepid Regency travel might have visited the site to marvel in the development taking place or enjoy the ruins. Nearby Margam village was described, in an 1810 guide, as “delightfully situated under a magnificent and perpendicular wood of oak, abounding in monastic antiquities.”  Margam Park was also known broadly for its orangery, which may have been of special interest to visitors.

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2 Responses to Regency Destinations: Margam Abbey

  1. Cate Parke says:
    June 27, 2022 at 7:05 am

    Fascinating! I just looked up more information about the abbey and the glorious beech beside it. Thank you for sharing.