Cholsey Abbey facts for kids

Cholsey Abbey was an old Anglo-Saxon nunnery. A nunnery is a place where nuns (women who dedicate their lives to Christianity) lived and prayed. It was located in Cholsey, a village in England. When it was built in 986, Cholsey was part of Berkshire county. Today, it's in Oxfordshire.

Why Was Cholsey Abbey Built?

Cholsey Abbey was founded in the year 986. It was built during a time when England was ruled by kings. A sad event led to its creation. King Edward the Martyr was murdered. His stepmother, Ælfthryth, was thought to be involved.

Edward's death meant that Ælfthryth's son, Ethelred the Unready, became the new King of England. Both Ælfthryth and Ethelred helped set up Cholsey Abbey. Building the abbey was seen as a way to make up for Edward's death. It was a way to show regret and seek forgiveness.

What Happened to Cholsey Abbey?

The abbey did not last very long. In 1006, Danish invaders attacked a nearby town called Wallingford. It is believed that these invaders then burned the nunnery down.

However, some parts of the old abbey might have survived. These ruins may have been used to build the parish church in Cholsey. You can still see some Anglo-Saxon stonework in the church's tower today. This suggests a link to the old abbey.

Where Was Cholsey Abbey Located?

Today, there are no visible remains of Cholsey Abbey on the ground. The site where it once stood is just north-west of the large village of Cholsey. The village now has many shops and services.