A tour through Italy: exhibiting a view of its scenery, its antiquities, and its monuments (1813) By John Chetwode Eustace :
This highly beautiful and interesting ruin the delight and admiration of strangers from every part of the kingdom is situated in the upper division of the hundred of Ragland about ten miles distant from Monmouth and five from Chepstow.
The Abbey was for monks of the Cistertian order and founded in the year 1131 by Walter de Clare who dedicated it to the Virgin Mary. This Walter was the grandson of William the son of Osbert to whom William the Conqueror had given the manors of Wollesten and Tudenham and all he could conquer from the Welsh. Walter dying without issue was succeeded by his brother Gilbert Strongbowe earl of Pembroke whose grandson Robert Strongbowe was the conqueror of Leinster in Ireland. The male line failing Maud the eldest of their female heirs was married to Hugh Bigod earl of Norfolk and Suffolk.
In the ruins of Tintern Abbey the original construction of the church is perfectly marked and it is principally from this circumstance that they are celebrated as a subject of curiosity and contemplation. From Tintern village in walking to the Abbey you pass the works of an iron foundry and a train of miserable cottages completely ingrafted on the ruins of the Abbey. This disagreeable and confined approach is not calculated to inspire any spectator with a very high estimation of what he is about to view but on throwing open the west door of the church an effect bursts on the spectator of so majestic and singular description that words cannot do justice to its merit nor convey an adequate idea of the scene It is neither a mere creation of art nor an exhibition of nature's charms but a grand spectacle in which both seem to have blended their powers in producing an object beautiful and sublime.
Use the "Show me" link to locate Tintern Abbey on the map. You may need to scroll down to see Tintern Abbey highlighted.
Chapter 16 