Dore Abbey: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=SeptemberOctober 20132021}}

| founded_datefounded date =

| constructed_dateyears built = 1147 onwards

| dedicated_datededicated date =

| closed_dateclosed date =

| demolished_datedemolished date =

| vicar = Revd AshleyMark EvansGodson

| addresslocation = [[Abbey Dore]], Herefordshire

'''Dore Abbey''' is a former [[Cistercian]] [[abbey]] in the village of [[Abbey Dore]] in the [[Golden Valley, Herefordshire]], England. A large part of the original [[mediaevalmedieval]] building has been used since the 16th century as the [[parish church]], with remaining parts either now [[ruins|ruined]] or no longer extant.

The abbey was founded in 1147 by Robert fitzHarold of [[Ewyas]], the [[Marcher lord|Lord]] of [[Ewyas Harold]], possibly on the site of earlier wooden monastic buildings of which no traces remain. The abbey is located close to the [[River Dore]]. It was formed as a daughter house of the Cistercian abbey at [[Morimond]] in France, perhaps after Lord Robert had met the Abbot of Morimond on the [[Second Crusade]]. Construction of buildings in local [[Old Red Sandstone|sandstone]] began around 1175, and continued through the time of the first three abbots, Adam (1186-c.1216), Adam II (c.1216–1236), and Stephen of Worcester (1236–1257). The design of the church was modelled on that of Morimond, with a [[presbytery (architecture)|presbytery]], two chapels, two [[transept]]s, a crossing and a [[nave]].<ref name=smith>R.J.L. Smith (ed.), ''The Parish Church of St. Mary, formerly Dore Abbey'', 1999, {{ISBN |1-872665-08-X}}</ref>

[[Gerald of Wales]] claimed that the first Abbot Adam was a devious individual intent on acquiring property by any means, fair or foul.<ref name=sheffield>[http://cistercians.shef.ac.uk/abbeys/dore.php The Cistercians in Yorkshire Project: Dore Abbey]</ref> During the early 13th century, the abbey expanded its land holdings, particularly through the acquisition of good quality farmland in the area granted to them by [[John of England|King John]] in 1216. This enabled the abbey to become wealthy, especially through the sale of [[wool]], and as a result the abbey was largely rebuilt in the [[Early English Period|Early English]] style. The [[Presbytery (architecture)|presbytery]] was expanded, and additional chapels, a processional [[ambulatory]], and domestic buildings including a [[chapter house]] were added. In 1260, the abbey was described as a "sumptuous church". The new building was consecrated by [[Thomas de Cantilupe]], [[Bishop of Hereford]], in 1282, and was dedicated to the [[Trinity|Holy Trinity]] and [[Saint Mary]]. Around 1305, Richard Straddell (d.1346) became Abbot. He was a distinguished scholar and theologian who at times served as a diplomat for the crown. In 1321 he was given a [[relic]] of the [[True Cross|Holy Cross]] by [[William de Gradisson]], and the abbey became a centre of pilgrimage.<ref name=smith/>

Large parts of the 12th- and 13th -century buildings, including the north and south transepts and the interior columns, together with some tiles, wooden fittings and fragments of stained glass, remain in place today, incorporated into the later church. The building also houses two 13th -century effigies, thought to be those of a later Lord Robert of Ewyas and his half-brother Roger de Clifford (d.1286), and carved stone roof [[Boss (architecture)|boss]]es.<ref name=smith/>

The abbey was run with the aid of seventeen [[monastic grange|granges]], nine in the [[Golden Valley, Herefordshire|Golden Valley]], four in northern [[Kingdom of Gwent|Gwent]], and three far to the west in [[Brycheiniog]], centred on the parish of Gwenddwr; these last were at the extreme limit of the distance granges were supposed to be, a [[day's journey]] from the abbey. The abbey also owned property in [[Hereford]] and elsewhere, and drew revenues from five appropriated parishes.<ref>David Williams, White Monks in Gwent and the Border (1976), and chapter in 'A Definitive History of Dore Abbey' (ed. R. Shoesmith and Ruth E Richardson)</ref>

The abbey was [[Dissolution of the Monasteriesmonasteries|dissolved]] in 1536. The building was bought by a local landowner, John Scudamore, a member of a [[gentry]] family historically connected with [[Owain Glyndŵr]]. Some items were hidden but most of the building was allowed to fall into disrepair.<ref name=sheffield/> The surviving building was restored in the 1630s by his great-great-grandson [[John Scudamore, 1st Viscount Scudamore]],<ref>[http://www.visitherefordshirechurches.co.uk/dore-abbey/ "Dore Abbey", Visit Herefordshire Churches, HCTG]</ref>
who, after the early deaths of several of his children, became convinced that he should make amends for living off the proceeds of former monastic land. Scudamore was a friend of [[William Laud]], [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], who is believed to have influenced the re-design and rebuilding of the church, for its use as a parish church. The original mediaeval altar was found in a nearby farm, being used for salting meat and making cheese, and was returned to the church. The original nave was blocked off and a new tower erected, and a new carved oak [[rood screen]], incorporating the arms of Scudamore, Laud, and [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]], was made by [[John Abel (carpenter)|John Abel]] of Hereford. In addition, new stained glass was provided, and the walls were painted with instructional pictures and texts, many of which remain visible. The new church was re-consecrated on 22 March 1634. Further restoration was carried out between 1700–101700 and 1710, and new paintings, including a large coat of arms of [[Anne, Queen of Great Britain|Queen Anne]], were added.<ref name=smith/><ref name=sheffield/>

The churchyard contains the [[Commonwealth War Graves Commission|grave]] of Driver William John Watkins, a [[Royal Field Artillery]] soldier of [[World War I]].<ref name=cwgc>[http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/363618/WATKINS,%20WILLIAM%20JOHN] CWGC Casualty Record, date retrieved 3 February 2013.</ref>

*[[Operation Icarus]] —– the police investigation into the organised theft of art from churches, including Dore Abbey

*[http://www.doreabbey.org.uk TheDore Abbey Website (A Partnership between the Parish Church and the Friends of Dore Abbey Website)]

*[httphttps://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=5782431 Photos of Dore Abbey and surrounding area on geograph.org.uk]