Father Gildas visits Monkton Priory

Priory Church last week.  Father Gildas has spent many years researching the religious communities and churches in Pembrokeshire and has a particular interest  in the old Priory, the importance of which is not fully realised, he believes.

 Monkton Priory was founded in 1098, following the Norman Conquest which saw the invasion and building of Pembroke Castle in 1093.  Its history stretches back further as there is strong evidence to believe that the Priory was built upon an earlier Christian site for Christianity had entered Wales at a very early date, long before the Conquest.  Father Gildas was of the opinion that the monastery was very large accommodating not only monks but lay brothers and nuns.  It would have been the administrative centre where the populace came to sort out problems & disputes, perform rites of passage, seek help for ailments.  Around 200 people would have lived there.   He believed strongly that the importance of Monkton Priory was not fully realised and there is much that needs to be brought to light.  He added that what we have here is something very special.