Abingdon Abbey

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Ecclesiastical site

There are no visible remains

NameAbingdon Abbey
Alternative NamesAbyndon, Abbandune
Historic CountryBerkshire
Modern AuthorityOxfordshire
1974 AuthorityOxfordshire
Civil ParishAbingdon

Norman and later Benedictine monastery, one of the most important monastic centres in England. Built on the site of an earlier Minster and Benedictine monastery. Following the collapse of the central tower in 1091, the church was rebuilt, and the former monastic buildings demolished and rebuilt. The abbey was suppressed in 1538. Trial excavations located the great church built in the Norman period from 1091-1120. Robbing after the Dissolution had been so extensive that even the foundations were removed. Reconstruction of the plan from the original excavation notes shows the church to have been aisled with transepts and a rectangular chancel. However, much detail is still uncertain. The cloister and monastic buildings were arranged to the South of the church. Abbey buildings extant include the late C13 or early C14 century guest-house, and the late C15 gatehouse. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

The abbey was granted licence to crenellate in 1330 but there is nothing to suggest the abbey had anything other than the usual precinct walls and impressive gatehouse, although these would have, undoubtable been crenellated. The existing gatehouse is heavily restored but may have parts which date back to time of this licence but the adjacent guest-house does date back to this period, suggesting the licence was part of a building campaign designed to provide public buildings for (wealthy) pilgrims.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSU501971
Latitude51.6703681945801
Longitude-1.27639997005463
Eastings450110
Northings197140
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Goodall, John, 2011, The English Castle 1066-1650 (Yale University Press) p.72
  • Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales Vol. 3 Southern England (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) p. 43-8
  • Knowles, David and Hadcock, R. Neville, 1971, Medieval religious houses in England and Wales (Longman) p58
  • Page, Wm. and Ditchfield, P.H.,assisted by Cope, John Hautenville (eds), 1924, VCH Berkshire Vol. 4 p. 430-2 online transcription
  • Page, Wm. and Ditchfield, P.H. (eds), 1907, 'Houses of Benedictine monks: The abbey of Abingdon' VCH Berkshire Vol. 2 p. 51-62 online transcription
  • Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 Part 2 p. 278, 409 online copy

Antiquarian

  • Camden, Wm, 1607, Britannia hypertext critical edition by Dana F. Sutton (2004)
  • Chandler, John, 1993, John Leland's Itinerary: travels in Tudor England  (Sutton Publishing) p. 31
  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1910, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (London: Bell and Sons) Vol. 5 p. 75, 77 online copy

Journals

  • Coulson, C., 1982, 'Hierarchism in Conventual Crenellation: An Essay in the Sociology and Metaphysics of Medieval Fortification' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 26 p. 69-100 see online copy
  • Biddle, M., 1968, Medieval Archaeology Vol. 12 p. 60-9 download copy
  • Preston, A.E., 1922, Antiquaries Journal Vol. 2 p. 386-7

Primary Sources

  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1891, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward III (1327-30) Vol. 1 p. 547 online copy