Sawtry Abbey facts for kids
Sawtry Abbey was an old monastery in Cambridgeshire, England. It was built for Cistercian monks. The abbey was founded in 1147. A powerful noble, Simon II de Senlis, started it. He was the grandson of William the Conqueror's niece, Judith. Sawtry Abbey is special because it's the only Cistercian abbey in its county.
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Life at Sawtry Abbey
Monks from Wardon Abbey came to live at Sawtry. The abbey was set up to be independent. However, it was close to other monasteries. This often led to arguments. In the 1200s, there were many disagreements. These were usually about land and taxes (called tithes). The abbots of Ramsey and Thorney were often involved.
The Abbey's Later Years
During the 1300s, the abbot of Sawtry often owed money. We don't know exactly why this happened. Not many old papers about the abbey still exist today. The abbey was not very rich. It was worth less than £200 a year.
The End of Sawtry Abbey
In the 1500s, King Henry VIII decided to close many monasteries. This was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Sawtry Abbey was closed before December 1536. There were 12 monks and 22 lay brothers (called conversi) living there. Only the abbot, William Angell, received a small payment of £10.
After the abbey closed in 1536, many buildings were pulled down. This included the church, the monks' living areas, and the bell tower. Even the old local church of Sawtry Judith was destroyed. People continued to take stones from the site until the 1800s.
What Remains Today
People started digging at the site between 1907 and 1913. They found the layout of most of the abbey. The church had a cross shape. It had short arms (transepts) and a choir area. The cloisters, which were covered walkways, were to the south. An infirmary, like a hospital, was to the east of the cloisters. There was also a guest house for visitors.
Today, the earthworks (bumps and hollows in the ground) are still there. They are very well preserved. The site has been protected as a scheduled monument since 1954.
Burials at Sawtry Abbey
Some important people were buried at Sawtry Abbey. These include:
- Isobel of Huntingdon
- David, Earl of Huntingdon
- Matilda of Chester, Countess of Huntingdon
- Beatrice de Teyden, mother of Robert de Brus, 4th Lord of Annandale
- Margaret of Huntingdon, Duchess of Brittany
- Lady Margaret Fraser Keith, who died in 1410
