Evesham Abbey

Evesham Abbey was founded by Saint Egwin at Evesham in England around 701 A.D. following a vision of the Virgin Mary by Eof. [cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05648a.htm|title=Evesham Abbey|work=Catholic Encyclopedia |accessdate=2007-02-18]

Early Foundation with Medieval Additions

Only one section of walling survives from the actual abbey, although fragments of the chapter house, the bell tower and the gateway remain, which were added later: the chapter house in the 13th century and the bell tower in the 16th century. Simon de Montford (1208-1265) is buried beneath the high altar of the ruined abbey, the spot marked by rough-hewn granite cross. The abbey is of Benedictine origin, and became in its heyday one of the wealthiest in the country.

Destroyed by the Townsfolk in the Dissolution

In the Dissolution of the Monasteries of the 16th century, the abbey apart from the bell tower was destroyed by the townsfolk, and the rest of the abbey plundered.

The coat of arms of Evesham Abbey survives in use in modern times, being used as the badge of Prince Henry's High School, Evesham.

GWR Star Class Steam Engine

One of the Great Western Railway Star class locomotives was named Evesham Abbey and numbered 4065. It was subsequently rebuilt as a Castle class locomotive being renumbered as 5085 yet the name Evesham Abbey was retained.

[Abbey Bell Tower: [http://www.btinternet.com/~timeref/evesham2.jpg] , [http://www.anotherurl.com/travel/cotswolds/images/evesham/bell_tower.jpg] ]

[Abbey Ruins and Artifacts: [http://pmsa.cch.kcl.ac.uk/images/nrpBM/BMED30.jpg] , [http://homepages.wmich.edu/~rudged/gen/sa1.jpeg] ]

[Evesham Parish Church: [http://www.eveshamparish.com] ]

* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=36469/ Evesham Abbey, Victoria County History]

References