History

St. Dogmaels Abbey - troubled times

The abbey faced tempestuous times in its early years with battles against opposing monastic factions over territory and attacks by Scandinavian pirates which were very prevalent throughout Pembrokeshire during this period. Indeed there are still countless reminders Scandanavian influence throughout the county in place names such as Crunwere, Crundale and Skokholm. Despite these wars, however, construction of the abbey continued through much of the 12th century. The 13th century proved a turbulent time for the abbey: from the prosperity of the first half of the century with a firmer English control resulting in much building and re-construction work, including the completion of the church, to the latter years when the abbey fell into financial difficulties brought about by extensive re-building caused by the Edwardian conquest of Wales.

The 14th century brought further problems with a reduction in the recruitment of monks and the Black Death which struck St. Dogmaels in 1349. The call of the monastic life was beginning to lose its appeal until, in the 15th century, the abbey's reputation and influence rapidly declined. Finally only four monks remained, and those governed by appetites for drink and licentiousness rather than more pious endeavours.

St. Dogmaels Abbey - left to its fate.

Despite moderate improvements in the moral fabric and financial status of the abbey during the early 16th century, no amount of power and influence could forstall the impact of Henry VIII's dissolution plans.

Anxious to break the influence of the Abbots in the provinces, which Henry regarded as Papist and disapproving of his marriage plans in search of an heir, he embarked on a policy of disolving the monasteries and abbeys with the axe falling on St. Dogmaels Abbey in 1536. The properties and possessions of the abbey were leased and subsequently sold to John Bradshaw of Presteigne, who used the land to build a mansion for himself, though no evidence of its construction remains today. By the beginning of the 17th century the abbey was a ruin, the stone having been carried off to provide construction materials in the vicinity, though the buildings of St. Thomas' Church, the Vicarage and the Coach House were added around the middle of the 19th century.

The abbey's remains are now in the guardianship of the Church in Wales and Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments.