Cirencester Abbey facts for kids
Cirencester Abbey, also known as St Mary's Abbey, was a very old and important monastery in Gloucestershire, England. It was first built in 1117 as a home for Augustinian monks. This abbey was special because it stood on the site of an even older church. That church was the oldest known Saxon church in England! Before that, there was even a Roman building there.
The church at the abbey became much bigger in the 1300s. They added a special walkway called an ambulatory around the east end. By 1416, the head of the monastery, called the abbot, became very important. He was allowed to wear a special hat called a mitre, just like a bishop. This showed how powerful the abbey had become.
However, in 1539, King Henry VIII decided to close down many monasteries in England. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Cirencester Abbey was also shut down and its lands were given to a man named Roger Bassinge.
Important People at the Abbey
During the 1100s and 1200s, Cirencester Abbey was a place where smart people worked. It supported famous writers like Robert of Cricklade and Alexander Neckam. Other monks, including Walter of Mileto and Alexander's nephew Geoffrey Brito, also helped them with their work.
What Happened After the Abbey Closed?
After Cirencester Abbey was closed in 1539, a large house called Abbey House was built on the site. This happened in the late 1500s. The house was changed in the 1780s, but then it was pulled down in 1964. A block of flats was built there instead.
Today, the main area where the monastery once stood is a public park. You can still see some parts of the old abbey. The Norman Arch, which was an original gateway, is still standing. Parts of the old wall around the abbey grounds can also be seen.
The large, three-storey porch of the local parish church was once an important office building for the abbey. After the abbey closed, the top floors of this porch were used as the town hall for a while.
The church itself tells a story about a long disagreement between the townspeople and the abbey. The monks from the abbey were in charge of building the chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is. They built it very plainly, without much decoration. However, the townspeople were responsible for the rest of the church, including the main part (the nave) and the tall tower. They rebuilt these parts in a very grand and impressive way. It was almost like they were trying to show off and win a building competition against the monks!
