Bisham Abbey facts for kids
Bisham Abbey is a very old and important building in Bisham, Berkshire, England. It's a manor house that has been around for a long time. The name "Bisham Abbey" comes from a monastery that used to be right next to it. This monastery was once called Bisham Priory. Many important people, like the Earls of Salisbury, were buried there.
Today, Bisham Abbey is a special place for sports. It's one of three National Sports Centres in England. Athletes and teams come here to train. It's also used for weddings, meetings, and other events.
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The Manor House Story
The manor house you see today was built around 1260. It was first a home for two Knights Templar. These were special knights who were part of a religious group. Over the years, the house was changed and rebuilt many times.
In 1307, the Knights Templar group was stopped. King Edward II then took over the house. He gave it to different family members.
A Royal Prisoner
In 1310, the building was used to hold Queen Elizabeth of Scotland. She was the wife of King Robert the Bruce. Her stepdaughter, Princess Marjorie, and her sister-in-law, Lady Christine of Carrick, were also held there. They had been captured during the Scottish Wars of Succession. They stayed at Bisham for two years before moving to Windsor.
New Owners
In 1335, William Montacute, 1st Earl of Salisbury, bought the manor. In 1337, he started Bisham Priory next door. He was buried at the priory after he died in 1344.
Later, King Henry VIII gave the manor house to Anne of Cleves. This was part of their divorce agreement. After that, the Hoby family bought the house. They lived there until 1768. Queen Elizabeth I often visited the Hoby family at Bisham Abbey.
The Monastery (Bisham Priory)
Bisham Priory was built for the Augustinian Canons, a group of religious people. Its first stone was laid in 1337. A special plaque from that stone can still be seen in Denchworth. Many important people were buried at the priory. This included its founder, the 1st Earl of Salisbury. Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, known as 'Warwick the Kingmaker', was also buried there in 1471.
The priory had some special items, like relics of Saints Cosmas and Damian. But it never became a very popular place for pilgrimage. This was because many other churches also claimed to have relics of the same saints.
The End of the Priory
Bisham Priory was closed down on July 5, 1537. This was part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII. But six months later, on December 18, it was reopened as a Benedictine abbey. However, this didn't last long. It was finally closed for good on June 19, 1538.
Legend says that the abbot of Bisham, John Cordery, cursed the building as he was forced to leave. He supposedly said that the property would never be passed down to two direct family members. Today, nothing is left of the abbey church or its other buildings.
Burials at the Priory/Abbey
Many important people were buried at Bisham Priory or Abbey, including:
- William Montagu, 1st Earl of Salisbury (died 1344)
- Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick (1428–1471), 'Warwick the Kingmaker'
- Edward Plantagenet, 17th Earl of Warwick
- Alice Montacute, 5th Countess of Salisbury (1407–1462)
- John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu (died 1471)
Bisham Abbey Sports Centre
Today, the manor house is run by Serco Leisure Operating Ltd for Sport England. It is one of England's three National Sports Centres. People can even get a gym membership there.
Amazing Sports Facilities
Bisham Abbey has many great sports facilities, including:
- A modern hockey pitch for international games.
- An indoor tennis centre with four courts.
- Eight outdoor tennis courts, some with lights for night play.
- A top-notch gym for strength and conditioning training.
- A sauna and steam room for relaxation.
- A large community gym with weights and fitness classes.
- Two squash courts.
- A nine-hole golf course.
- A sports therapy centre for athletes to get help with injuries.
Famous Teams and Athletes
Many famous sports teams have trained at Bisham Abbey. The England Rugby team used to train here until 2005. Football teams like Barcelona and Portsmouth have also trained here. Portsmouth even trained here before winning the FA Cup in 2008! The England futsal team has played international games here too. Elite athletes and community groups often use the facilities for training camps.
Bisham Abbey in the Media
In 2010, Bisham Abbey was featured in a TV advertisement for the Nationwide Building Society. This was during the World Cup. The ad showed the England football team playing on one of the pitches. The local church was clearly visible in the background.
The Abbey's Ghost Story
It is said that the ghost of Elizabeth Hoby (1528–1609) haunts the Great Hall. Her portrait hangs there. The legend says she wants to make up for something sad. People believe she might have caused the death of one of her sons through punishment and not taking care of him.
