Bective Abbey / Mainistir Bheigtí
Bective Abbey — from Mainistir Bheigthí (Abbey of Beigtheach)
This Cistercian abbey was founded in 1147 as a “daughter house” of Mellifont Abbey.
The community here was Anglo-Norman. In 1386 men of Irish birth were effectively barred from entering the monastery. The cloister (a covered walkway for contemplation and prayer) and the domestic buildings where the monks lived and worked, were rebuilt on a smaller scale in the 15th century. Two sections of this cloister walkway survive; there is a carving of an unidentified ecclesiastic at one corner.
A large defensive tower was built above the south range of the abbey in the 15th century, a reflection of troubled times in the English Pale.
After Bective was “dissolved” in 1536, as part of the campaign by Henry VIII to control the wealth and power of the church, the complex was converted into a great mansion with the insertion of new fireplaces, chimneys and large stone windows.
Nothing remains of the original 12th century monastery. The church was rebuilt in the 13th century, but all that survives of it is one wall of the aisled nave.
—————
In 1147 a bunaíodh an mhainistir Chirstéirseach seo mar “iníonteach” ag an Mainistir Mhór.
Comhthionóil Angla-Normannach a bhí inti agus, i ndáiríre, bhí cosc ar fhir a rugadh in Éirinn dul isteach sa mhainistir i 1386. Sa 15ú haois, atógadh go hiomlán ar scála níos lú an clabhstra (siúlán clúdaithe le haghaidh guí agus machnaimh) agus na tithe inar chónaigh agus inar shaothraigh na manaigh. Tá dhá chuid den siúlán ann i gcónaí; tá fíor shnoite de chléireach anaithnid i gcúinne amháin. Tógadh túr mór cosanta os cionn chliathán theas na mainistreach sa 15ú haois, léiriú ar chorraíl na haimsire i bPáil Shasana.
Tar éis a díscaoilte i 1536, mar chuid d'fheachtas Anraí VIII d'fhonn forlámhas a fháil ar mhaoin agus ar chumhacht na heaglais, rinneadh mainteach mór den mhainistir trí thinteáin nua, similéir agus fuinneoga móra cloiche a chur inti.
Níl aon chuid de Mhainistir an 12ú haois fágtha anois. Atógadh an eaglais sa 13ú haois, ach níl fágtha di inniu ach balla amháin den chorp taobhrannach.
Courtesy hmdb.org
