Darnhall Abbey

Money was short, as Edward did not provide enough for the original foundation, but the Abbey was allowed to trade wool to augment its finances.

Edward founded Darnhall Abbey, dedicated to St Mary,[1] between 1266 and 1272,[note 1] and its foundation charter is dated 14 January 1274.

The moment the last man had stepped ashore, the chronicler continues, the storm broke out again, more violent than ever, and Edward's ship was smashed on the harbour.

[note 3] However, these dates do not fit with what is known: King Edward only went on crusade once, in 1270, not returning until his father Henry III died in 1272.

[9] Dore was probably chosen because, from 1264 to 1265, the young Lord Edward was imprisoned there by Simon de Montfort during the Second Barons' War, and the monks there were said to have looked after him well.

[10] As its endowment, the Abbey was granted the site of the establishment in Delamere Forest; the manors of Darnhall, Cheshire, and Langwith in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and the advowsons of Frodsham, Weaverham, and Ashbourne and Castleton.

[1] "...The decision to found a great Cistercian house gave [King Edward] protection, and also renown, in his international venture.

[15] The first Abbot of Darnhall was named Walter, whose tenure was during the last years of the reign of King Henry III.

[17][9] Either way, by the time the next Abbot, John Chaumpeneys, was consecrated in 1275, the Abbey of Darnhall had relocated to Vale Royal.