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ABOUT THIS MONUMENT
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The ruined and buried remains of Buildwas Abbey. It was originally founded for the Savignac order in 1135, by Roger de Clinton, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. It then became the Cistercian Abbey of St Mary and St Chad when the two orders were united in 1147. No evidence for permanent buildings earlier than the 1150s has been found, and the main abbey buildings including the church, chapter house and cloisters were probably built during the rule of Abbot Ranulf, between 1155-1187. The church and much of the claustral range were completed by the end of the 12th century, and the infirmary and abbot's lodging in the 1220s. A large chapel and parlour wing were added in the 14th century. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and three years later the site was granted to Edward, Lord Grey of Powys. The infirmary and abbot's lodging were subsequently converted into a house and are now in use as a private club house.
Although now in ruins, much of the main complex of claustral buildings (built of sandstone rubble) still stands above ground and indicates the original layout of the abbey. This was adapted to the local topography, which is why the cloister is unconventionally arranged to the north of the church and is at a lower level.
The abbey was occupied by a small group of around 6-12 monks who made their income by charging tolls to passing travellers on the bridge over the River Severn. Its past was rather turbulent and includes the murder of the abbot in 1342 and the abduction and imprisonment of the abbot and monks in 1350 by Welsh border raiders. The abbey lands were later laid waste by followers of Owain Glendwr in 1406, and further persecution followed during the Wars of the Roses.
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| URL: |
http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=72110
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| MONUMENT NUMBER: |
72110 |
COUNTY: |
SHROPSHIRE
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| NMR NUMBER: |
SJ 60 SW 12 |
DISTRICT: |
SHREWSBURY AND ATCHAM |
| LAST UPDATED: |
N/A |
PARISH: |
BUILDWAS |
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AREA: |
N/A |
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STREET: |
WENLOCK ROAD |
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MARITIME LOCATION: |
N/A |
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LOCATION: |
SJ 6434 0432
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MORE INFORMATION & SOURCES
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(Centred SJ 643 043) St. Mary & St. Chad's Abbey[GT] (Cistercian) (A.D.1135) (Remains of)
Wall [GT] (Remains of)
Fish Ponds [GT]
Fish Pond [GT] (1)
Buildwas Abbey. Founded 1135. Probably completed by 1200, remaining almost unaltered until the dissolution. [Architectural Description follows.] (2)
Buildwas Abbey - Scheduled. (3)
That part of the Abbey which is open to the public is as described by the M.O.W. pamphlet. It is as shown in their plan, except that parts of the north wall of the frater are now exposed. Other extant portions of the Abbey are incorporated in Abbey House at SJ 6437 0435 - and its outbuildings. Name confirmed by Mrs. Carr, owner/occupier. See GP. AO/60/63/2. Possible Abbot's chapel from NW. The fish ponds have been re-surveyed and annotated on 25" AM. (4)
Published 1:2500 survey revised. (5)
Short description of site - additional reference (6).
SJ 643 043.
Buildwas Abbey is associated with earthworks and the buried remains of an extensive water management system, including water meadows, leats, fishponds, mills, and a fish weir, as well as
the remains of several charcoal burning hearths.
It was founded for the Savignac order in 1135, by Roger de Clinton, Bishop of Lichfield became Cistercian when Savigny was united with that order in 1147. No evidence for permanent buildings earlier than the 1150s has been found, and the abbey first appears to have prospered under the energetic rule of Abbot Ranulf, between 1155-1187. The church, chapter house, and cloisters were probably built during his abbacy.
The abbey's 400 year history was punctuated by periods of drama. These included the murder of the abbot in 1342 and border raids from Powys culminated in the abduction and imprisonment of the abbot and monks in 1350. The lands of the abbey were reportedly laid waste by followers of Owain Glendwr in 1406, and further persecution followed during the Wars of the Roses. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 and in 1539 the site and properties were granted to Edward, Lord Grey of Powys. The infirmary and abbot's lodging were subsequently converted into houses with gardens to the south and south west. During the 19th century the monastic precinct was bisected east-west by a railway.
The monks at Buildwas derived part of their income from tolls charged for the nearby bridge over the Severn. The river also formed the basis of the complex water management system which operated nearby, and included the fishponds and water meadows which would have supported the abbey's economy and ensured a plentiful food supply.
To the south of the church and cloister evidence of charcoal burning hearths have been found, examples of one of the small-scale industries which were a common feature of medieval monasteries and their early post-medieval successors.
Although now in ruins, much of the main complex of claustral
buildings stands above ground to show the original layout of the abbey. This was adapted to the topography, which is why the cloister is unconventionally arranged to the north of the church and is at a lower level. The lay brothers' range was on the west, and the frater occupied the north range, with the dorter or dormitory above a warming house at its east end, and the kitchen to the west. The east range included a crypt under the north transept of the church, the sacristy, chapter house and parlour, with the undercroft at its north end and reredorter, or latrine, north of this. The infirmary and abbot's lodgings were to the north east, with the monks' cemetery east of the church.
The monks' cemetery extended for a considerable distance eastwards.
Buildwas Abbey ruins are of sandstone rubble construction with ashlar dressings. The church and much of the claustral range were completed by the end of the 12th century, and the infirmary and abbot's lodging in the 1220s. The only major developments to the abbey were the construction of the large chapel to the south of the church, and the addition of a parlour wing to the abbot's house, both in the 14th century.
For a full description of the various monastic buildings, their architectural features and the water management systems and charcoal burning hearths please refer to the Scheduled Monument Record. (7-8)
No exact dates are known for the beginning or completion of the abbey ruins. They are Later Norman or Transitional and a date of 1135 is impossible with a date of shortly after 1147 more plausible.
The source, Pevsner's Buildings of England provides a detailed description of the layout of the monastic ruins and of the architectural features present, especially of the abbey church. (9)
The Victoria County History contains a very detailed description of the abbey, especially relating to the daily life and domestic arrangements of the abbey, as well as a physical description of the monastic buildings. It also contains a list of the abbots. Please refer to this source for more information on the abbey. (10)
This source, The Builder, contains a number of very well drawn depictions of the ruins, including architectural details and a large and detailed plan of the abbey. Please refer to this source for more information on the abbey. (11)
Please refer to these additional sources on Buildwas Abbey (12-13)
The Cistercian Abbey of St Mary and St Chad, originally founded in 1135 by Roger De Clinton, Bishop of Coventry as a Savignac monastery, was occupied by a small group of about 6-12 monks. It was situated on the banks of the River Severn and the monks made their income by charging tolls to passing travellers on the bridge over the River Severn.
The abbey is located near to Wales and it had a turbulent past. It was raided by the Welsh Princes and even on one occasion in 1406 the abbot was kidnapped by raiders from Powys. The abbey was dissolved in 1536 by Henry VIII and the estate was granted to Lord Powys. The abbot's house and infirmary were later incorporated into the building of a private house. The remains of 12th century Norman collumns are some of the best preserved in the country. (14)
The present buildings date mainly to the 12th century and include: the nave, crossing tower, transepts and presbytery along with
the foundations of its aisles and south aisle chapel of the abbey church; various north claustral buildings including the east range comprising of the sacristy, chapter house and parlour, and the west range including the lay brothers' quarters and the footings of the cloister itself. The foundations of the refectory are now in the grounds of the Abbey House. Please refer to the Listed Buildings System for a detailed description of the architectural features of the abbey. (15)
The impressive ruins of a Cistercian abbey with its little altered 12th century church, vaulted and tile-floored chapter house and crypt chapel. (16)
Please refer to the Shropshire Historic Environment Record of Buildwas Abbey for detailed information on its history, standing remains and associated sites (fish ponds, charcoal burning hearths etc...). (17)
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SOURCE TEXT
( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)
OS 6" 1925-38
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( 2) General reference
Ministry of Works. 1946. Buildwas Abbey (Pamphlet)
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( 3) Ministry of Works 1953 Ancient monuments in England and Wales : list prepared by the Ministry of Works, corrected to 31st December 1952
Page(s)64
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( 4) Field Investigators Comments
F1 DS 31-MAY-60
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( 5) Field Investigators Comments
F2 ASP 04-JUL-75
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(6) Royal Archaeological Institute The archaeological journal
138 (1981) Page(s)33
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(7) English Heritage 1995 County list of Scheduled Monuments : March 1994
Shropshire Page(s)12
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(8) Scheduled Monument Notification
14-MAR-1997
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(9) by Nikolaus Pevsner 1958 Shropshire
The buildings of England Page(s)88-90
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(10) edited by A.T. Gaydon 1973 A history of Shropshire: volume II
The Victoria history of the counties of England Page(s)50-9
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(11) The Builder
79 (1900) Page(s)292-4
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(12) General reference
Guide to Buildwas Abbey (1978)
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(13) by David Knowles and R Neville Hadcock 1971 Medieval religious houses in England and Wales
Page(s)116
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(14) World Wide Web page
Shropshire Tourism. 2009. Buildwas Abbey, http://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/attractiondetails.php?estid=1208 [Accessed 29-APR-2009]
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(15) List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest
District of Shrewsbury and Atcham 1055/5/21, 24-FEB-1986
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(16) 2009 English Heritage Visitor Handbook 2009/10
Page(s)176
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(17) World Wide Web page
Heritage Gateway. 2009. Shropshire HER 00311, http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MSA60&resourceID=1015 [Accessed 30-APR-2009]
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