the effects of the Welsh uprising under Owain Glyndŵr against the English kings, when abbey properties were destroyed by the Welsh. The closest battle to Tintern Abbey was at Craig-y-dorth near Monmouth, between Trellech and Mitchel Troy. Dissolution and ruin In the reign of Henry VIII, the Dissolution of the Monasteries ended monastic life in England, Wales and Ireland. On 3 September 1536, Abbot Wych surrendered Tintern Abbey and all its estates to the King's visitors and ended a way of life that had lasted 400 years. Valuables from the Abbey were sent to the royal Treasury and Abbot Wych was pensioned off. The building was granted to the then lord of Chepstow, Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester. Lead from the roof was sold and the decay of the buildings began. Architecture and description Church The west front of the church, with its seven-light Decorated window, was completed around 1300. Nave The nave is of six bays, and originally had arcades to both the northern and southern sides. Monks' choir and presbytery The presbytery is of four bays, with a great east window, originally of eight lights. Almost all of the tracery is gone, with the exception of the central column and the mullion above. Cloister The cloister retains its original width, but its length was extended in the 13th century rebuilding, creating a near square. Book room and Sacristy The book room parallels the sacristy and both were created at the very end of the construction period of the second abbey, around 1300. Chapter house The chapter house was the place for daily gatherings of the monks, to discuss non-religious abbey business, make confession and listen to a reading from the Book of Rules. Monks' dormitory and latrine The monks' dormitory occupied almost the entirety of the upper storey of the east range. The latrines were double-storeyed, with access both from the dormitory and from the day-room below. Refectory The refectory dates from the early 13th century, and is a replacement for an earlier hall. Kitchen Little of the kitchen, which served both the monks' refectory, and the lay brothers' dining hall, remains. Lay brothers' dormitory The dormitory was sited above the lay brothers' refectory but has been completely destroyed. Infirmary The infirmary, 107 ft long and 54 ft wide, housed both sick and elderly monks in cubicles in the aisles. The cubicles were originally open to the