Haverfordwest Priory

Haverfordwest Priory

Remains of the Priory, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire by Gastineau, Henry G, ca. 1830

Haverfordwest Priory (Welsh: Priordy Hwlffordd) was a house of Augustinian Canons Regular on the banks of the Western Cleddau at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Dedicated to St. Mary and St. Thomas the Martyr and situated on land given by Robert de Haverford, it was first mentioned around 1200. According to William Latham Bevan, “It owned the three churches in Haverfordwest, Haroldston St. Issels adjacent to it, Llanstadwell, Dale, Lambston, Camrose, Llanwynio, St. Ishael’s (Milford Haven), Reynalton, and a chapel now extinct named Cristiswell, probably situated at Cressell Quay, near Cresselly.^[1]

At the time of Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536–1541), it was acquired by Roger and Thomas Barlow, brothers of William Barlow, bishop of St David's.^[2]

From 1983 to 1996, the site (now under control of Cadw) was excavated and the outlines of the buildings are visible. Much architectural material of a high standard was discovered and can be seen in Haverfordwest museum. Also unearthed was a unique medieval garden with raised beds.^[3]

References

1. William Latham Bevan (1888). St. David’s. Google Books. Retrieved 2014-10-10.
2. Thomas Nicholas (1872). "Wales Annals and Antiquities, Vols. I-II". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
3. "Haverfordwest Priory (Pembrokeshire)". HistoricBritain.com. 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-10.

Coordinates: 51°47′53″N 4°57′52″W / 51.7981°N 4.9644°W