Newenham Abbey facts for kids

Newenham Abbey, also known as Newnham, was a Cistercian monastery built in 1247. It was founded by Reginald II de Mohun (1206–1258) on land he owned near Axminster in Devon, England. Today, you can find the ruins of the abbey a short distance southwest of Axminster town.

History of Newenham Abbey

The land where Newenham Abbey was built was part of a large estate called the manor of Axminster. This land once belonged to a powerful man named William Brewer (who died in 1226). King John (1199-1216) had given it to him.

William Brewer's son passed away without having children. So, his daughters became his heirs. One of these daughters, Alice Brewer, married Reginald I de Mohun (1185–1213). Alice brought a lot of land and wealth to her marriage. She even helped build the new Salisbury Cathedral by providing marble for 12 years!

Reginald II de Mohun (1206–1258) was the son of Reginald I de Mohun and Alice Brewer. In January 1247, Reginald II gave a part of his land in Axminster to start Newenham Abbey. The official document for starting the abbey was signed by Richard Blund, who was the Bishop of Exeter. Newenham Abbey was connected to Beaulieu Abbey, which was its "mother house." Reginald II de Mohun later left his manor and the old district called the Axminster Hundred to Newnham Abbey in his will.

The abbey was dedicated to God and the Virgin Mary. It was meant for an abbot (the head monk) and twelve monks from the Cistercian religious group. The founding document said they should pray for Reginald II de Mohun, his family, and those who came after him.

The Latin words from the founding document say:

Anno gratiae 1246 8 idis Januar(ii) regnant(e) Hen(rico) fil(io) Johan(nis), Reginaldus Mohun, filius Reginaldi et Alicia(e) Brewer, fundavit Abbathiam de Newnham in maner(io) de Axminster comitatu Devon(iae)

This means: "In the year of grace 1246 on January 8th, with King Henry (III), son of King John, ruling, Reginald de Mohun, son of Reginald and Alice Brewer, founded the Abbey of Newnham in his manor of Axminster in the County of Devon."

Newenham Abbey faced a very difficult time during the Black Death in 1349. This terrible plague caused many deaths. Almost all the monks at the abbey died. Records show that twenty monks and three lay brothers passed away. Only the abbot and two monks survived. By 1377, there were only seven monks living at the abbey.

The Abbey Closes Down

The abbey was officially closed on March 8, 1539. This happened during a time known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. During this period, King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries in England.

Newenham Abbey's yearly income was about £231. After it closed, the abbot and nine monks were given pensions, which were like regular payments. The land and buildings of the abbey were then bought from the Crown (the King) by Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk (1473-1554).

Later, the abbey changed hands again. It was sold to John Petre, 1st Baron Petre (1549–1613). His son, William Petre, 2nd Baron Petre (1575–1637), owned it when a historian named Pole was writing about the area around 1635.

By 1795, when a Reverend named John Swete visited the site, the abbey was already in ruins. He painted two watercolor pictures of the buildings, which are still kept in the Devon Record Office. Today, the remains of Newenham Abbey are protected as an Ancient Monument. You can even find some pieces of the old abbey reused in buildings in Axminster.