Winchcombe Abbey

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Winchcombe Abbey is a now-vanished Benedictine abbey in Winchcombe, once the capital of Mercia. The Abbey was founded c. 798 for three hundred Benedictine monks, by King Offa of Mercia or King Kenulf. In its time, it was the burial place of two Mercian princes, Kenulf and his son St. Kenelm.

The Abbey itself was in the grounds to the east end of the parish church of St Kenelm. Many pilgrims visited St. Kenelm's tomb in the middle ages, and the Abbey thus became very rich. At its heyday, Winchcombe Abbey alone owned 25,300 acres (102 km²) in 13 parishes. Indeed, Snowshill Manor was owned by Winchcombe Abbey from 821 until the dissolution of the monasteries.

Winchcombe Abbey was surrendered to the Crown and then demolished in 1539. Some of its stones can still be found in Winchcombe; for example the lintel over the abbey gate now rests over the gate of what was once the George Inn. Fragments of the abbey can still be seen in various places in Winchcombe, notably the Corner Cupboard Inn on the Cheltenham road. Very little now remains of the Abbey; more remains of its great nearby rival, Hailes Abbey.

[edit] Timeline for Winchcombe Abbey

  • 798 - King Kenulf of Mercia gives instructions for building an Abbey
  • 811 - Winchcombe Abbey is dedicated by Wulfred, Archbishop of Canterbury
  • 1042-1066 - During Edward the Confessor's reign Winchcombe Abbey becomes one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in the country
  • August 29, 1151 - Fire destroys much of Winchcombe, including the Abbey
  • 1239 - Re-building of the Abbey completed
  • December 23, 1539 - Winchcombe Abbey is surrendered to the crown and the monks are pensioned off. The Abbey buildings are quickly demolished the stone being re-used in other buildings
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