Stanlow Abbey facts for kids
The Abbey of St. Mary at Stanlaw was a special kind of monastery called a Cistercian abbey. It was built way back in 1178. This abbey was located on a piece of land called Stanlaw Point, right next to the River Mersey in the Wirral Peninsula, Cheshire, England. Today, this area is near Ellesmere Port.
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History of Stanlaw Abbey
The abbey was started in 1178 by a powerful person named John fitz Richard. He was the Baron of Halton and the Hereditary Constable of Chester, which meant he was a very important leader and military commander in the area. Stanlaw Abbey was like a "daughter" abbey, meaning it was founded by monks from another abbey called Combermere Abbey.
A famous visitor to the abbey was King Edward I of England. He stayed there for three nights in August 1277.
Challenges and Moving Day
Life at Stanlaw Abbey was tough because it was in a very open spot near the Mersey River. It faced many problems. In 1279, the abbey was flooded by the river's waters. Then, in 1287, a huge storm hit. The abbey's tall tower fell down, and part of the building was destroyed by fire.
The monks asked the Pope if they could move their monastery to a safer place. Both the Pope and King Edward I agreed. So, in 1296, the monks packed up and moved to Whalley, which was near Clitheroe, Lancashire.
Even after most monks moved, a few stayed behind at Stanlaw. The old abbey site became a "grange," which was like a farm or outpost for the main abbey at Whalley. This continued until the time of the Protestant Reformation, a big change in religion in England.
What's Left Today
Today, the remains of Stanlaw Abbey are on an island called Stanlow Island. It's now surrounded by the Mersey River and the Manchester Ship Canal. You can still see two old sandstone walls and a doorway that was used again in a new way. There are also buried parts, like a drain that led to the River Gowy. These remains are protected as a scheduled monument, meaning they are important historical sites.
Later, a man named Mr. John Wright bought the abbey ruins. He turned the old building into three homes for his children. His family lived on Stanlow Island until the government bought the land from them. This was done to build the Stanlow Oil Refinery, which is a large industrial site today.
Important Burials
Several important people were buried at Stanlaw Abbey. These included members of the De Lacy family, who were powerful Barons of Halton.
These three men were the 7th, 8th, and 9th Barons of Halton.
See also
- List of Scheduled Monuments in Cheshire (1066–1539)
