Shaftesbury Abbey facts for kids
Shaftesbury Abbey ruins
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 Location in Dorset
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| Monastery information | |
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| Order | Benedictine |
| Established | c. 888 |
| Disestablished | 1539 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | King Alfred the Great |
| Site | |
| Location | Shaftesbury, Dorset, England |
| Coordinates | 51°00′19″N 2°11′55″W / 51.0053°N 2.1986°W |
Shaftesbury Abbey was a very important abbey for nuns in Shaftesbury, Dorset, England. It was started around the year 888. Later, in 1539, it was closed down during a time called the English Reformation. This happened by order of Thomas Cromwell, who worked for King Henry VIII. At that time, Shaftesbury Abbey was the second richest nunnery in all of England!
Contents
The Abbey's Story
King Alfred the Great founded this special place for nuns around 888 AD. He made his daughter, Æthelgifu, the very first leader, called an abbess.
Later, Ælfgifu, who was the wife of King Edmund I, was buried at Shaftesbury. People soon thought of her as a saint. Many believed she was the true founder of the abbey.
The Story of Saint Edward
The bones of Edward the Martyr, a young king, were brought to the abbey in a big ceremony. This happened in 981. People said that miracles happened on the way! For example, two men who couldn't walk were healed when they were near Edward's body.
When Edward's bones arrived, the nuns buried them with great honor. Because of these stories of miracles, Shaftesbury Abbey became a very popular place for pilgrimage. People would travel there to pray and hope for healing.
In 1001, it was said that Edward's tomb would sometimes rise from the ground. So, King Æthelred ordered that his brother's bones be moved to a more special place. They were put into a beautiful casket.
After this, Shaftesbury Abbey was dedicated to the Mother of God and Saint Edward. More miracles were reported at Edward's tomb, like the healing of people who were sick or blind. The abbey grew to be the wealthiest Benedictine nunnery in England. It was a major center for pilgrims and very important to the town.
The Abbey Closes Down
During the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, King Henry VIII decided to close many religious houses. Shaftesbury Abbey was incredibly wealthy. People even had a saying: "If the abbess of Shaftesbury and the abbot of Glastonbury Abbey had been able to marry, their son would have been richer than the King of England!"
Because it was so rich, Thomas Cromwell made sure King Henry VIII took control of it. In 1539, the last abbess, Elizabeth Zouche, had to give up the abbey. The abbey buildings were torn down, and its lands were sold. This caused the town of Shaftesbury to struggle for a while.
The land and much of the town were bought by Sir Thomas Arundell, 1st Baron Arundell of Wardour. But later, his lands were taken away. The abbey lands then passed through different important families over time.
Who Was Buried Here?
Shaftesbury Abbey in Books
The famous writer Thomas Hardy wrote about the abbey ruins. He described how seeing the remains of the once-grand abbey made visitors feel thoughtful and a little sad.
A book called The Butcher's Daughter by Victoria Glendinning was published in 2018. It tells a story based on the closing of Shaftesbury Abbey.
Shaftesbury Abbey Museum
The Shaftesbury Abbey Museum shows off stone pieces found during digs at the abbey ruins. You can see old carvings from the Anglo-Saxon times and medieval floor tiles. The museum tells the story of the Benedictine convent and the nuns who lived there. It's open from April to October. The site also has a garden and orchard that look like they would have in medieval times.
The Abbey Site Today
Today, the site of Shaftesbury Abbey is used for many fun events. You can watch movies outdoors, take part in drama workshops, or see performances. Sometimes, there are historical talks. It's also where a music show happens during the town's "Gold Hill Fair" in early July. This event gives local musicians a chance to perform.
