Lyminge Abbey facts for kids
Lyminge Abbey was an important abbey, a type of religious building, located about four miles northwest of Folkestone in Kent, England. It was one of the very first religious communities to be built in England.
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A Look Back at Lyminge Abbey's History
Lyminge Abbey has a fascinating story that began a long time ago.
Who Was Æthelburh of Kent?
The story of Lyminge Abbey is closely linked to a princess named Æthelburh of Kent. She was the daughter of Æthelberht of Kent, who was a Christian king. In 625, Æthelburh married King Edwin of Northumbria. This marriage was a really big deal because it helped spread Christianity from Kent to the northern parts of England. King Edwin agreed to become a Christian as a condition of their marriage.
How the Abbey Began
Sadly, King Edwin was killed in a battle called the Battle of Hatfield Chase in 633. After this, Æthelburh returned to Kent. She decided to become the abbess, or leader, of a new nunnery and convent at Lyminge. This was the start of Lyminge Abbey. When she passed away in 647, people honored her as a saint.
Challenges and Changes
Lyminge Abbey faced many dangers, especially from Viking raids. Because of its location, it was very vulnerable to these attacks. By the year 804, the people from the abbey had to seek safety and moved to the city of Canterbury for protection.
Where Was the Abbey Located?
Today, the exact spot where Lyminge Abbey stood isn't known for sure. However, historians believe it was somewhere around the current Lyminge church. This church is dedicated to St Mary and St Ethelburh, which makes sense given her connection to the abbey.
