10 Amazing Abbeys & Priories
Berkshire Life|September 2020
Henry VIII was a bit of a rotter but one thing he did bestow on us was romantic ruination courtesy of his Dissolution of the Monasteries. Here are the best monastic memoirs from the county of Berkshire
Stephen Roberts
10 Amazing Abbeys & Priories

10. KINTBURY ABBEY (ANGLO-SAXON)

I’m starting at Kintbury for two reasons. We think of monasteries as post-Norman Conquest, however, there were older, Anglo-Saxon ones, of which Kintbury was reputedly an example. You also won’t find Kintbury today, as sometimes these places are transient. We know about Kintbury because of Wulfgar’s will (AD 930s), which granted land at Inkpen to it. The abbey may have lapsed as there is evidence of a scheme to re-establish it with a nunnery in the mid-12th century, but nothing appears to have come of this.

9. ANKERWYCKE PRIORY (BENEDICTINE/ NATIONAL TRUST)

And so, on to the remains. Ankerwycke Priory (or St Mary’s) at Runnymede is just crumbling walls today, but a place of resonance where a nunnery once stood. Built during Henry II’s reign, following its dissolution, it was privately-owned and patched up before falling into disrepair from the 19th century, leaving today’s overgrown walls. There is romance here though. The Ankerwycke Yew is said to be 2,500 years old and could be the tree beneath which Henry VIII courted the ill-fated Anne Boleyn.

8. Sandleford Priory (Austin Canons)

Another fascination is how things change. Sandleford Priory in Greenham is a Grade I-listed mainly late-18th century country house, but built on the site of an old monastery, the former chapel of which is today a part of St Gabriel’s School. The small Augustinian priory was certainly here around 1200 but come 1440 the establishment was already in a parlous state and was therefore dissolved within the next 40 years: not one we can blame on Henry VIII. Prior Simon Dam was turfed out for ‘indiscretions’ (ooh er).

Bu hikaye Berkshire Life dergisinin September 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Berkshire Life dergisinin September 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BERKSHIRE LIFE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
A Home For Keeps - Reader At Home
Berkshire Life

A Home For Keeps - Reader At Home

Alex and James Fielden were looking for a forever home. Their search ended as soon as they pulled up outside this Georgian property in Berkshire

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2020
Duke & Duchess Of Berkshire?
Berkshire Life

Duke & Duchess Of Berkshire?

They are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge but should they really be the Duke and Duchess of Berkshire, which is, of course, a Royal county?

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020
A national hero
Berkshire Life

A national hero

He started out like many other children born in Reading, but mention Justin Fletcher to any kid in the land these days and their eyes will light up

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020
Fruitful thinking
Berkshire Life

Fruitful thinking

Ryan Simpson believes the world is our orchard. A project that began over a pint in his local is making the county more fruity

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020
THE BERKSHIRE BOMBSHELL
Berkshire Life

THE BERKSHIRE BOMBSHELL

Berkshire has had more than its fair share of famous inhabitants. However, few had such an explosive reputation as Diana Dors

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020
“I'll always be a Berkshire girl”
Berkshire Life

“I'll always be a Berkshire girl”

Despite her international acclaim as the star of TV’s Tracy Beaker, Dani Harmer has never strayed far from her roots

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020
Remembering the fallen
Berkshire Life

Remembering the fallen

The most destructive war in human history lasted for six years and cost 60 million lives, the majority non-combatants. It is easy to understand why those who had survived wanted to celebrate the end of that conflict

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2020
HIDDEN WONDERS
Berkshire Life

HIDDEN WONDERS

Berkshire photographer Matt Emmett has made it his mission to explore the forgotten architecture and heritage many people miss in their home towns

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2020
EXPLORING BERKSHIRE - Majestic Maidenhead
Berkshire Life

EXPLORING BERKSHIRE - Majestic Maidenhead

Rejuvenation and revival; two buzz words surrounding the biggest town in the Royal borough. With riverside views and a vibrant arts and dining out scene, this high-class town is well worth a look

time-read
7 dak  |
November 2020
A good grounding
Berkshire Life

A good grounding

Berkshire has some of the best homes in the land, so perhaps it is no coincidence that the nation’s favourite property guru went to school in Wokingham

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2020