CASTLEHUNTING 14 - EWENNI PRIORY

Cadw site:- Ewenni priory

Wiki site:- Ewenni priory

From Cadw:-

An unusually warlike religious settlement

Founded in 1141 by Maurice de Londres as an offshoot of Gloucester’s Benedictine abbey, Ewenni Priory’s austere church, presbytery and transepts are the finest surviving examples of Norman Romanesque architecture in this part of Wales.

Also notable are the settlement’s uncharacteristically robust defences, consisting of impressive walls and gates that can still be seen today.

It’s unclear exactly why a small and comparatively insignificant place like Ewenny would require such fortifications: were they built for show rather than defensive purposes? While the protective walls probably had little to do with it, Ewenni Priory has enjoyed a long and active life – the Norman nave still serves as the local parish church.

These monks must have been unpopular! 2 portcullises, murder holes & walls to keep out wild Cymro! 

Quite an estate

Gatehouse

Two portcullises & murder holes

Feck off big bastard walls

Stunning church next door, must have been quite impressive back in the day. 

Dead Knights