Leominster abbey was an Anglo-Saxon monastery established at Leominster in the county of Hereford, England. The name of the town refers to its minster, a settlement of clergy living a communal life.
The monastery was perhaps founded in the seventh century. After being destroyed by Danes, it was rebuilt as a Benedictine abbey for nuns. In 1046 the abbess, Eadgifu, was abducted by Sweyn Godwinson.[1] Eadgifu, the only abbess known by name,[1] may have been the last one, as the convent was probably dissolved or suppressed.
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In the 12th century Henry I incorporated land at Leominster into the foundation of Reading Abbey.[2] Reading Abbey in turn founded a Benedictine priory in Leominster of which the Priory Church survives at grid reference SO49855927.[3] Whether the priory was built on the site of the original Anglo-Saxon monastery is not clear. However, archaeological evidence of Saxon activity has been uncovered at the priory.