To donate and support our channel: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheyhadadaA

This stunning abbey was once the largest abbey in Wales and what remains is a testament to its grandeur. With impressive walls and a large area to explore, Neath Abbey will not disappoint.

Filmed: Summer 2021
Music: Solas -    • A Song for Your Beloved  
Entry: Free

---- Short History ----
In 1129, Richard I de Grenville, one of the Twelve Knights of Glamorgan, gave 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) of his estate in Glamorgan, Wales, to Savigniac monks from western Normandy.
In 1130, the first monks arrived.
After the Savigniac order was taken up by the Cistercian order in 1147, Neath Abbey became a Cistercian house.
Its expansion of land into Glamorgan resulted in a bitter dispute with its neighbouring abbey of Margam.
During this time (1280 - 1330) the abbey church was rebuilt to a larger scale.
During the Welsh uprisings of the 13th century the abbey was badly damaged.
When King Henry the VIII dissolved the monasteries the last abbot managed to buy time through payment of a large fine but it was finally dissolved in 1539.
Soon after the abbey became a large estate. The south-eastern part was converted into a grand mansion. But it only lasted for 100 years before the area became a scene of industry and the estate was abandoned.
But in the 1730s some of the buildings were being used for copper smelting.
An Iron foundry was opened near the abbey and the ruin was engulfed in industrial waste.
It belonged to the Rice family, Barons Dynevor.
In the 1920s, the 7th Baron Dynevor and a group of amateur archeologists began uncovering the ruins once again.
It was eventually excavated between 1924 - 35.
7,000 tons of slag and other industrial waste was removed by hand.
In 1944, the ownership passed to the Ministry of Works who further stabilised the walls.
In 2014, Cadw took over the site and further protected it.

#Abbey #Neath #Wales #Medieval

---- Further Reading ----
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neath_A...
http://www.castlewales.com/neath_a.html

---- Follow Us On Social Media ----
Facebook:   / thadhistory   - @THADHistory
Instagram:   / theyhadaday   - @Theyhadaday