Polesworth Abbey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Polesworth Abbey |
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| Abbey Church of St Editha, Polesworth | |
Polesworth Abbey
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| Location | Polesworth |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | polesworthabbey.co.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | St Editha |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* listed |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Polesworth |
| Deanery | Polesworth |
| Archdeaconry | Aston |
| Diocese | Anglican Diocese of Birmingham |
Polesworth Abbey was once a Benedictine nunnery, which is a place where nuns (women who dedicate their lives to God) lived and prayed. It is located in Polesworth, a village in North Warwickshire, England.
Contents
History of Polesworth Abbey
How the Abbey Started
Polesworth Abbey was founded a very long time ago, in the 9th century. It was started by a holy woman named St. Modwena and King Egbert. The very first leader of the nuns, called an abbess, was Edgytha. She was King Egbert's own daughter and is now known as St. Editha.
What Remains Today
The area where the Abbey once stood is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it's a very important historical site protected by the government. Even though most of the old buildings are gone, you can still see some parts. The main church building, which was built in the 12th century, is still standing. It is now used as the local parish church for St. Editha.
There's also a gatehouse from the 14th century that is still here. Both the church and the gatehouse are listed as Grade II* listed buildings. This is a special status given to buildings that are very important and need to be preserved. The old gatehouse has even been fixed up and turned into apartments that people can rent.
Polesworth Abbey as a Parish Church
Changes After the Monasteries Closed
In 1536, a big event happened in England called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This is when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries and nunneries across the country. In 1544, Polesworth Abbey was given to a man named Francis Goodere.
Goodere took down many of the Abbey buildings. He used the stones to build a new large house, called Polesworth Hall, on the same site. Later, another member of the family, Sir Henry Goodere, was a supporter of artists and writers. He led a group of poets in Polesworth, including the famous writer Michael Drayton. Polesworth Hall was eventually taken down before 1868. The local vicarage (the home of the church's priest) was built where the hall once stood.
The Abbey Today
Today, the old Abbey church is still a very active place. It serves as the Church of England parish church for the village of Polesworth. This means it's the main church where local people go for services and community events.
The Church Organ
Inside the church, there is a large pipe organ. It was made by Taylor of Leicester and was first put into another church in 1912. This organ has three keyboards, which are called manuals, and many pipes that make different sounds.
