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Tintern Abbey was founded for Cistercian monks in 1131 and
the present remains date from the late 13th century. The richest abbey in Wales
would have begun to decay soon after 1536, by which time king Henry VIII had
decided to appropriate the wealth of the religious houses. Many of the abbeys
soon became roofless as their lead was quickly plundered and the fact that the
ruins still stand is testament to the great skills of the medieval designers and
craftsmen.
The abbey and its setting in a River Wye valley have long inspired British
artists. Turner's beautiful picture of the interior showed chickens scratching
around an unkempt, grassy floor but Tintern has latterly been in the care of
Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments and its future is assured.
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