Leominster Abbey facts for kids
Leominster Abbey was a very old Anglo-Saxon monastery located in the town of Leominster in Hereford, England. A monastery is a place where religious people, like monks or nuns, live together and dedicate their lives to prayer and work. The town's name, Leominster, actually comes from the word "minster," which means a settlement of clergy (religious leaders) living together.
The Early Monastery
The monastery at Leominster might have been started way back in the 7th century. At first, it was a home for monks. But sadly, it was later destroyed by the Danes, who were invaders from Northern Europe. After being destroyed, it was rebuilt as a Benedictine abbey, but this time it was for nuns. This is why it's sometimes called the Leominster nunnery.
A Story from History
In the year 1046, the leader of the nuns, known as the abbess, was named Eadgifu. She is the only abbess from Leominster whose name we know. Eadgifu was taken away by a powerful person named Sweyn Godwinson. After this event, the community of nuns probably stopped existing not long after.
Leominster's Priory
Later, in the 12th century, King Henry I made Leominster part of a new religious house called Reading Abbey. Reading Abbey then started its own Benedictine priory in Leominster. A priory is like a smaller monastery.
The Priory Church Today
The building that was once the priory church in Leominster is still standing today. It's known as the Priory Church, Leominster. It's not completely clear if this priory was built exactly where the first Anglo-Saxon monastery stood. However, archaeologists, who study old things, have found signs of Saxon activity in the area around the priory. This suggests there was indeed an important Saxon settlement there long ago.
