Croxton Abbey
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Croxton Abbey, near Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire, was a Premonstratensian monastery founded before 1160 by William, Count of Boulogne. Croxton was the mother house of the monasteries of Blanchland Abbey in County Durham and Cockersand Abbey in Lancashire.
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[edit] History
An early notable event was the summoning of the abbot of Croxton by the dying King John to hear his final confession, and to subsequently prepare his body for burial. The King's heart was buried in the abbey church, which later inspired his son, Henry III, to grant gifts to the abbey in commemoration.
In 1326, a fire destroyed most of the abbey buildings including the church and one of the canons died in the catastrophe. Later in the century, further disasters included the destruction by the Scots of property held in the north of England, and, many deaths within the community brought about by the plague or black death. Towards the end of the 14th century, now unknown problems may have led to an abbot being deposed, but within a century the monastery is described as being "in an exemplary state."
Towards the end of monastic life at the abbey, there was a serious disagreement between its patron, Lord Berkeley, concerning the election for a new abbot which the patron tried to prevent by force until his demands for payment of £500 by the monastery were met. The election was finally allowed to occur, despite the refusal to pay this money. The new (and last) abbot of Croxton was however forced to pay £160, plus hand over a bond for a further £160.
[edit] The dissolution and beyond
The abbey was dissolved in 1538, with the abbot and eighteen canons in residence.
A private house on the site contains elements of a monastic building, probably part of the former guest house once used for wealthy visitors to the abbey. Otherwise, there are no visible remains.
[edit] References
- 'House of Premonstratensian canons: The abbey of Croxton Kerrial', A History of the County of Leicestershire: Volume 2 (1954), pp. 28-31.
- Anthony New. 'A Guide to the Abbeys of England And Wales', p129. Constable.
[edit] See also
