Tarrant Abbey facts for kids
St Mary's Church
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 Location in Dorset
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| Monastery information | |
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| Full name | The abbey of St Mary and All Saints |
| Order | Cistercian |
| Established | 1186 |
| Disestablished | 1539 |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Ralph de Kahaines |
| Important associated figures | Queen Joan, Bishop Richard Poore |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Scheduled Monument 1002715 - ruins Grade I listed building 1110840 - church |
| Designated date | 26 June 1963 |
| Site | |
| Location | Tarrant Crawford, Dorset |
| Coordinates | 50°49′53″N 2°07′20″W / 50.831431°N 2.122276°W |
Tarrant Abbey was a special home for nuns, called a Cistercian nunnery. It was located in a place called Tarrant Crawford in Dorset, England.
Contents
The Story of Tarrant Abbey
Tarrant Abbey was first started in 1186 by a person named Ralph de Kahaines. He lived nearby in Tarrant Keyneston.
The abbey was later restarted around 1228 or 1233. This time, it became a Cistercian nunnery. People believed it grew to be the richest nunnery in all of England!
Famous People Connected to the Abbey
Two very important people are linked to Tarrant Abbey's history.
- Queen Joan: She was the wife of Alexander II of Scotland. She was also the daughter of King John of England. Queen Joan is buried in the abbey's graveyard. People say she was buried in a golden coffin!
- Bishop Richard Poore: He was the person who built the famous Salisbury Cathedral. Bishop Poore was baptized right here at Tarrant Abbey. Later, in 1237, he was buried here too. He is seen as the abbey's second founder.
What Remains Today
Today, the only part left of Tarrant Abbey is the church of St Mary the Virgin. This church was once used by the local people who lived near the abbey. It was built in the 12th century.
The church is now a very important building, known as a Grade I listed building. This means it has special historical value. The Churches Conservation Trust now takes care of it. The rest of the abbey's site is a Scheduled monument, which means most of its old parts are buried underground.
Leaders of Tarrant Abbey: The Abbesses
The abbess was the head nun who led the abbey. Here are some of the known abbesses of Tarrant Abbey:
- Claricia: She became abbess around 1228.
- Emelina
- Maud: She was abbess in 1240.
- Isolda: She was abbess in 1280.
- Elena: She was chosen in 1298.
- Anne: She was abbess in 1351.
- Clemence de Cernyngton: She was abbess in 1377.
- Joan: She was abbess in 1402.
- Avice: She was abbess in 1404.
- Edith Coker: She passed away in 1535.
- Margaret Lynde: Her role is not fully certain.
- Margaret Russell: She was chosen in 1535. She gave the abbey to King Henry VIII in March 1539. This was part of a big change when many monasteries were closed down.
