In the narrow Vale of Ewyas, a fold in the Black Mountains, stands the ruins of Llanthony Priory. Its fairly remote location suggests to the casual observer that this is one of the many Cistercian foundations that can be seen across the British Isles. However, Llanthony was founded by two Augustinians around 1120 and was not completed until over a century later. It exhibits the style of architecture current when the Romanesque Norman was superseded by Gothic Early English. The delay in its construction was largely due to the depredations of the native Welsh following the demise of England's Henry I. During this period the monks fled to safer pastures across the River Severn where they built a cell, Llanthony Secunda, the remains of which can still be seen in Gloucester.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2
