Basingwerk, Flintshire
Historical Description
Basingwerk, a mined Cistercian abbey in Holywell parish, Flint, on the coast of the estuary of the Dee, 1 mile NE of Holywell. An abbey existed here from very early times, and the date of the original foundation is unknown, but the Cistercian rule was introduced in 1131 by Ranulph, Earl of Chester, and the present abbey dates from about the end of the 12th century. The ruin comprises chiefly the south transept of the church, with portions of the refectory and out-buildings. It stands on a gentle eminence, with very pleasing view, but is marred both by the neglected state of its own interior, and by the neighbourhood of smelting-works. The abbey was dissolved in 1685, temporarily revived during the reign of Qneen Mary, and was used as a place of interment by Roman Catholics down to the reign of Charles I.
Land and Property
The Return of Owners of Land in 1873 for Flintshire is available to browse.
Newspapers and Periodicals
The British Newspaper Archive have fully searchable digitised copies of the following newspapers online: