Llanthony Priory and alongside it St David`s Church are set deep in the Vale of Ewyas. This is a wonderfully secluded and peacefully beautiful place in the Black Mountains. "Llan" is the working place of a saint, and tradition has it that the Welsh patron saint, St David, lived in this valley for a while in the 6th century. His chapel fell into ruins. Centuries later it was found by William de Lacy, while out hunting. He was so impressed by the tranquillity and setting that he repaired the chapel and settled down to live here. In 1103 Ernisius, chaplain to Queen Maude, came to look for William, wondering why he had disappeared. He, too, was charmed by the valley and stayed on to become William`s companion. Together they built St David`s Church. Other people joined them and they set about building the Priory, which was completed in 1120.