Anonymous

“ The church is of the usual cruciform type, an aisleless presbytery, transepts with two chapels forming an eastern aisle to each. There has been a low square tower over the crossing, and a nave of six bays with two side aisles. The extreme length is 165 feet, length of transept from north to south 98 feet, width of nave and aisles 67 feet 6 inches, width of chancel 30 feet, and of transept 30 feet. It will be seen that the east and west gables are all but perfect, and that the north and part of the south walls of the chancel still remain. ”

“ Through the exertions of the Rev. H. T. Owen, some very interesting excavations have been made of late years. During the summer of 1888, Mr. Owen caused some investigations to be made in the Monks’ Dormitory, for by removing surface earth that accumulated there during the time it had been in ruins, five very interesting sepulchral slabs were discovered of very early date, not later than the tenth century. There is one which has a Norman sword on it, and also an inscription which cannot be deciphered but with some degree of uncertainty. It can be read as follows:—
“Jacet Oidus Madoc . ”

“ The Abbey was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and belonged to a community of Cistercian monks, an order founded in France in the year 1098. The remains of the Abbey Church are the most entire and picturesque part; but adjoining the southern side are the remains of the Abbot’s lodgings, consisting of the chapter house and dormitories above. ”

“ A surveyor governed in chief; every tenth man being called a warden and overlooking nine. They ranged from country to country as they found churches to be built, and are supposed to have first introduced the cruciform style for religious edifices.
The eastern end of the church appears the most ancient, and the three lancet-like windows have a very peculiar effect. The northern side has been almost destroyed, and there is no vestige of the roof except in the eastern side of the southern transept. ”

“ T. Lloyd, of Trevor Hall, at length, in the year 1779, restored what remains of this ancient monument, that had been for a long time removed from sight and neglected.
The Cross, or rather Pillar, was formerly twelve feet high, but at present is little more than eight feet, and is inscribed all round with letters. It has a round band, resembling a cord, arranged as if in drapery, round an altar, with a ring in each compartment, part of which is either broken or worn away, but the form is clearly defined. ”

“ About a quarter of a mile further on there is a gate leading to a field on the right, through which a path wends right to the grand old Abbey. Those more inclined to drive the distance can have their demands satisfied at reasonable charges at the cab-stand and the hotels ”

“ The shafts internally afford some evidence probably of an intention of vaulting the ceiling, which was never carried out, and the sloping line of stone visible inside and out in the walls seems to be indicative that the west end of the chancel was once covered by a hipped roof. ”

“ Another tombstone has a wolf on a shield, with an imperfect inscription:—
“Edwardus filius Yo.”
This stone is curiously carved with a chase. A stone coffin was also found in one of the side chapels; the bases of five altars; a stone pulpit base, also those of the pillars that divided the nave and aisles; a few p. 10pieces of painted glass, and encaustic tiles. ”

“ The cloister space has no trace of the cloister buildings, but from the position of the corbels for the roof-timbers, &c., and from the absence of the remains, it is probable that here, as in many cases elsewhere, they were formed of wood. The foundation of Valle Crucis Abbey and its date have indeed been subjects of much doubt. Sir W. Dugdale, on the authority of Leland, rightly ascribed the foundation to Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor, Prince of Powis, and assumed that this was about A.D. 1200. We are indebted to an associate, Mr. ”

“ It has sometimes been stated that all the buildings are of the same date, but a small amount of inspection will assure us that the east end is the oldest, say of a date within the first twenty years following that of the foundation ”