From Thence Traversing Another Tract Of
Sands, And Crossing The River Tawe, They Arrived At The Castle Of
Swansea, Where They Passed The Night.
{90} The monastery of Neath was situated on the banks of a river
bearing the same name, about a mile to the westward of the town and
castle.
It was founded in 1112, by Richard de Grainville, or
Greenefeld, and Constance, his wife, for the safety of the souls of
Robert, earl of Gloucester, Maude, his wife, and William, his son.
Richard de Grainville was one of the twelve Norman knights who
accompanied Robert Fitz-Hamon, and assisted him in the conquest of
Glamorganshire. In the time of Leland this abbey was in a high
state of preservation, for he says, "Neth abbay of white monkes, a
mile above Neth town, standing in the ripe of Neth, semid to me the
fairest abbay of al Wales." - Leland, Itin. tom. v. p. 14. The
remains of the abbey and of the adjoining priory-house are
considerable; but this ancient retirement of the grey and white
monks is now occupied by the inhabitants of the neighbouring copper-
works.
{91} Gower, the western district of Glamorganshire, appears to have
been first conquered by Henry de Newburg, earl of Warwick, soon
after Robert, duke of Gloucester, had made the conquest of the other
part of Glamorganshire.
{92} Sweynsei, Swansea, or Abertawe, situated at the confluence of
the river Tawe with the Severn sea, is a town of considerable
commerce, and much frequented during the summer months as a bathing-
place.
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