Evesham Abbey facts for kids
Evesham Abbey was a very old and important church building in Evesham, England. It was started by a saint named Egwin around 700 to 710 AD. This happened after a local pig farmer, Eof, said he saw a vision of the Virgin Mary.
The abbey was run by Benedictine monks. At its best, it was one of the richest places in the country. When the Normans took over England, the abbey did quite well because its leader, Abbot Æthelwig, quickly made friends with William the Conqueror.
Today, not much of the original abbey is left. Only a small part of a wall remains. However, you can still see parts of the old meeting room (called the chapter house), the tall bell tower, and the main gate. The chapter house was built in the 1200s, and the bell tower in the 1500s. A famous knight named Simon de Montfort (who lived from 1208 to 1265) is buried near where the main altar used to be. His burial spot is marked by a special monument.
During the time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1500s, the abbey was pulled down. Only the bell tower survived. Other buildings connected to the abbey that are still standing today include the Almonry and the Middle Littleton Tythe Barn.
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How Evesham Abbey Started
It's a bit tricky to know the exact year Evesham Abbey first began. Some people think it was as early as 682 AD, while others say 701 AD. What we do know is that King Ethelred gave the land to Ecgwine around 701 AD, and building the monastery started then.
A very important document, called a charter, was given to the abbey by Pope Constantine in 709 AD. This document helped make the abbey official. It's believed that Ecgwine brought this charter back from Rome.
The charter from Ecgwine (thought to be written in 714 AD) says that on a special day called All Saints' Day, "Bishop Wilfrid and I consecrated the church." This means they officially dedicated the church to God, the Blessed Mary, and all of Christ's chosen people. All Saints' Day is now celebrated on November 1st.
Even though the exact start date is still a bit unclear, many believe the abbey was officially dedicated on All Saints' Day in 709 AD. This date connects nicely with the All Saints' Church that is still in Evesham today.
What Happened to the Abbey?
The Dissolution
In the 1500s, there was a big event in England called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This is when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries and took their wealth. In 1540, Evesham Abbey was given to the king. Sadly, it was then looted (all its valuable things were taken) and torn down. As mentioned, only the tall bell tower was left standing.
Even today, the old symbol or coat of arms of Evesham Abbey is used by Prince Henry's High School in Evesham.
Discovering the Past
Digging Up History
A person interested in old things, named Edward Rudge, started digging up parts of the abbey on his land between 1811 and 1834. He shared what he found with a group called the Society of Antiquaries of London. Pictures of his discoveries were published, along with a story written by his son, Edward John Rudge. Edward Rudge also had a special octagon tower built in 1842 to honor Simon de Montfort at the site of a famous battle.
Important People Buried Here
Many important people were buried at Evesham Abbey:
- Simon de Montfort
- Henry de Montfort
- Hugh le Despencer, 1st Baron le Despencer
- Robert de Stafford
- Thomas of Marlborough
Saints Connected to Evesham Abbey
Several saints are linked to Evesham Abbey:
- Egwin: He was the third bishop of Worcester and the person who founded Evesham Abbey.
- Credan: He was a leader (Abbot) of the abbey when King Offa was ruling Mercia.
- Wigstan of Mercia (also known as Wulstan and Wystan)
- Odulf: A saint and missionary from the 800s.
Protecting the Abbey Site Today
Today, there is a group called the Evesham Abbey Trust. Since 2017, they own much of the land where the abbey once stood. The Rudge family, who owned the land for a long time, gave it to the Trust.
In 2019, the Trust received a lot of money (about £1 million) from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England. They are using this money to help protect and fix the remaining abbey walls. They also plan to create special gardens, including a nave garden and a cloister garden. These restoration projects are expected to be finished by the summer of 2024.
Images for kids
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Evesham Abbey bell tower
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Memorial to Simon de Montfort
See also
In Spanish: Abadía de Evesham para niños
