Muchelney Abbey

Website http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConProperty.282

Classification Historic Building

DescriptionThe Abbey is the second largest in Somerset after Glastonbury. Of the main building only some foundation walls remain. The south cloister walk and the north wall of a refectory are other surviving features. The only intact structure is the Abbot's House with well-preserved architectural features including external stonework and inside a great chamber with ornate fireplace, carved settle and stained glass, and timber roof. An unusual attraction is the nearby thatched two-storey monks' lavatory, unique in Britain.

The site of the Abbey was effectively an island in the marshy and frequently flooded Somerset Levels. It was therefore an ideal religious retreat (cf. Ely Cathedral). There is believed to have been a religious building erected on the site as early as 693, although the Benedictine monks were not established there until the 10th century.

According to the 11th century Domesday survey, Benedictine Muchelney owned Muchelney, Midelney and Thorney islands:

"The Church of St. Peter of Micelenye (Muchelney Abbey) has 4 carucates of land which never paid geld in these islands; Michelenie, Midelenie and Torelie. There is demesne and 2 ploughs and 1 arpent of vineyard. There are 4 serfs and 18 bordars with 2 ploughs. There are 1 riding horse and 21 beasts and 6 swine and 30 she-goats. There are two fisheries paying 600 ells, and 25 acres of meadow and 12 acres of woodland and 100 acres of pasture".

Much of the building was carried out in the 12th century. By the 16th century the Abbey included an Abbey Church, a desmesne farm barton, an almonry, the parish church of St Peter and St Paul with its vicarage, and a Cross dating from the 15th century (moved in 1830 to near the parish church). The parish church can also be dated to Saxon times, but the present building was completed by the abbots in the early 15th century.

In 1538 the Abbey with all land and possesions was surrendered by the monks to Henry VIII in the course of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The whole property and advowson was then granted to Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, later 1st Duke of Somerset. On his execution in 1552 it reverted to The Crown.

Position

Photographs

The Address, , Muchelney, TA10 0DG

Phone01458 250664

DateAug 12, 2006

Contact NameEnglish Heritage

CategoryEngland > Somerset
England > Somerset > Attractions nearTaunton

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