1103, William, a retainer and kinsman of Hugh de Lacy, retires to the small chapel once inhabited by St David on this spot; leads the life of a hermit, and is joined by Ernisius, Chaplain to Queen Maud--1108, A small church erected and dedicated to St John the Baptist by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Bishop of Hereford--After some time a brotherhood formed of black Augustine Canons brought from the monasteries at Mereton, Trinity Priory in London and Colchester--Ernisius is made prior--1136, The monks driven from the monastery owing to the hostility of the Welsh and given new ground near Gloucester by Milo, Earl of Hereford, on which they erect a new church--1150, The present edifice at Llanthony built by Prior William of Wycombe--1482-83, Edward IV. gives the priory of Llanthony and all the lands appertaining to it to the prior of the house at Gloucester--1539, Both houses dissolved. Annual revenue £648, 19s. 11d.--1807, The priory at Llanthony purchased by Walter Landon, the eminent writer--1870, Father Ignatius builds a monastery for monks and nuns near Llanthony Abbey. “’Mongst Hatterill’s lofty hills that with the clouds are crowned The valley Ewias lies immersed so deep and round As they below that see the mountains rise so high Might think the straggling herds were grazing in the sky. Where in an aged cell with moss and ivy grown, In which not to this day the sun hath ever shone, The reverend British saint, in zealous ages past To contemplation lived and did so truly fast As he did drink what crystal Hodney yields And fed upon the leeks he gathered in the fields, In memory of whom, in the revolving year The Welchman on his day that sacred herb do wear.” DRAYTON’S _Polyolbion_.