A Few Words about
Tintern Abbey
Tintern Abbey and the dissolution
The end of an institution and the start of a beautiful ruin
What happened to them?
Why didn’t they survive like the cathedrals?
Ohh that Henry VIII, he has a lot to answer for. Him and his chasing wives.
But what really happened?
Many had been in existence for hundreds of years.
They were great landowners.
They controlled vast estates.
They were part of a wealthy and political network that spread from France to Ireland.
Their Abbots were powerful enough to be granted rights to address Parliament.
As well as the monks, thousands of people relied on them for a home, and livelihood.
Just how did this King bring these institutions to their knees?
The King required them all to be examined, audited if you will, not only for monetary value, but in terms of godliness and in terms of relationships with the local community.
How were they judged, and by whom?
Was the process fair?
How was judgement served?
What happened to the people, the wealth, the lands, the buildings?
Enter Father Wyche, latterly Abbot Wyche, last Abbot of Tintern.
Listen to him describing the last years of the glory of the Abbey.
He goes on to describe the parliamentary visitations, the Valor Ecclesiasticus.
Then comes the final orders.
The closure.
What actually happened?
How were the monks affected?
Where did the gold and silver go, the relics?
Simon Waterfield, playing Father Wyche, talked about it all, revisiting Tintern Abbey on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th August 2019, giving 8 performances in all to a very appreciative audience.