The abbey lay within the diocese of St Asaph, and the abbey church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was founded in 1170 by Owain Cyfeiliog Prince of Powys, as a daughter house of the Abbey at Whitland. Within two years the Abbey had moved a short distance to the present site but excavations have found no evidence of any early structures before construction in stone started in 1190 so it is likely the earliest buildings were simple wooden structures.
The abbey was situated within the diocese of St Asaph and its church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was established by Owain Cyfeiliog, Prince of Powys, in 1170 as a daughter house of the Abbey at Whitland. Within two years, it moved closer to the current site but no early structures have been discovered before stone construction began in 1190, suggesting that the earliest buildings were likely simple wooden constructions.