The Ghost of Strongbow

On my first trip to Hereford with Rachel (our house-hunting trip), we passed through Wales on route to Hereford. Near Chepstow, we passed the eerily beautiful Tintern Abbey. The picture in my title block is Tintern Abbey.

Tintern was founded in the year 1136 by Walter de Clare, the then Lord of Chepstow. Tintern was home to the White Monks, a monastic order that followed the 'Charter of Love' and had six guiding principals:

• Obedience
• Poverty
• Chastity
• Silence
• Prayer
• Work

The Abbey prospered for almost 400 years as a quiet monastery that received little historical note. Much of the Abbey was rebuilt with endowments from local lords. In 1349, The Black Death swept Europe and this, combined with the affects of a Welsh uprising, caused labor shortages and financial difficulties for the Abbey.

In 1536, King Henry the VIII took control of the church of England, one of the main reasons was to take over the considerable wealth held by the churches. The valuable lead that held the roof in place was pillaged and sold. Tintern fell into quick ruin as it was looted and its treasures sent away. The pictures above are what is left of the Abbey despite significant restoration projects over the last 100 years. It still stands as one of the best preserved examples of its era.

But what about the ghosts?

It is said that a group of young nobles visited the Abbey in the 17th or 18th century, now in ruins, and dug about the grounds looking for valuables. They did find two skeletons and in celebration, they prepared a great feast amidst the ruins.

As they sat and joked about the monks rising from their graves, a sudden storm surrounded the Abbey with fierce lightning and thunder that shook the hills. The sky grew darker and a heavy mist shrouded the site.

In a doorway, a gleaming light grew and took shape as a knight in full armor. Then, around the knight, the forms of withered monks and abbots came forward. The storm paused and the knight, with visor raised, pointed at the exit to the Abbey. The young nobles scattered in fear and found themselves lost in the mist. The storm resumed and a violent whirlwind tossed the feast beyond the walls of the Abbey.

The men had disturbed the rest of the monks and their protector, Gilbert fitz Gilbert de Clare, the son of Walter de Clare. Gilbert was known as "Strongbow" -- either because he skillfully used an abnormally large and powerful bow or because of his battle tactic of utilizing Welsh bowman against the Irish. Either way, Strongbow's legend was known and his image commanded obedience.

Strongbow is also the name of a mass-produced cider made right here in Hereford and very popular throughout England. Ahh, refreshing!