Wilton Abbey |
| Hob Uid: 214695 | |
Location :
Wiltshire
Wilton
|
| Grid Ref : SU0996031000 |
| Summary : Benedictine nunnery and abbey allegedly founded in 830, and refounded in 890 and 934 and dissolved in 1539. This was one of the main nunneries of England for much of its existence. It was rebuilt in stone with a gift from Edith, wife of the Confessor. Many of the buildings, except the Almonry, were demolished prior to the construction of Wilton House, which was built on the site. Dependency: Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Wilton. |
More information : (SU 09873108) Almonry (NR) (1)
The Abbey of Wilton (for Benedictine Nuns) of St Mary,
St Bartholomew and (later) St Edith is supposed to have been
founded in 830 and re-founded in 890. However the first authentic
date is 934 when Athelstan granted land to the monastery of
St Mary at Wilton. The convent church was rebuilt in stone in
1065. In 1086 the abbey had the highest gross income recorded
for any nunnery in England. Traditionally it was fortified
by Stephen in 1143. Dissolved in 1539, it was granted
to Sir William Herbert in 1541. (2)
Apart from a Gothic arch discovered in the north range of
Wilton House and some apparently medieval masonry brought
to light recently in the south range, the only surviving
building is that known as 'the Almonry' which may have been the
'Bellhouse' court of the barony of Wilton (4). Dating from the
14th century it was presumably near the original entrance to the
abbey. The church and conventional buildings are usually said
to have lain slightly west of the quandrangle built
after 1544 but no foundations have come to light there. Aubrey
described a room which seems to have been in the north-west
corner of the quadrangle as a former dormitory. If the Tudor
great hall and kitchens which were in the north range,
represented the refectory group the abbey church would have been
more or less on the site of the south front. (3-4)
Additional information. (5-6) |