Buildwas Abbey, Orchids and Meet Brother Benedict Bear

 

Buildwas Abbey isn't far from Much Wenlock and just off the road which was taking us back to the M54.  The Abbey is regarded as one of the most important Cistercian ruins in England being a good example of the architectural style they used. In addition, unlike many other abbey churches, it was hardly altered during the late Middle Ages.

It was initially founded in 1135  as the Abbey of St Mary and St Chad by a small colony of monks from the Norman Abbey of Savigny who had been brought to England by Roger de Clinton, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. They settled near the banks of the River Severn at Buildwas.  In 1147 it became a Cistercian Community when the Savigniacs joined the Cistercians. The Cistercians were one of the most powerful and largest of the monastic groups.

Between 1155 and 1187 the abbey flourished under the gifted Abbot Ranulf and it built up a sizeable estate.  Work also began on the construction of a typical 12th century Cistercian abbey church and on 3 ranges of monastic buildings.  The church was built in a Cruciform shape between ~1150 to 1180.

In 1536 monastic life came to an end during the first round of Henry VIII's Suppression of the Monasteries.  The abbey and most of its land were given to Sir Edward Grey - Lord Powis.  Many of the monastic buildings were converted by his son into a Tudor mansion and the property and land not sold became a tenanted farm.

The Abbey had a remarkable library and more than 40 books survive. (It would be interesting to know where they are kept).

The ruins have been in the care of the state since 1925 and English Heritage since 1984.  Parts of the ruins and also the Tudor mansion are not owned by EH and cannot be accessed.

Despite trying to cut down there are still quite a few photos!  In some of the photos you will notice barriers/fences which are in place due to a survey being carried out on the stonework followed by some re-pointing to conserve the brickwork.  Untl the project is completed there is a slight risk of falling masonry hence the fencework to protect visitors.

Nave and Tower and Crossing

I was annoyed with myself later because in my haste to get to the abbey we walked over the remains of a chapel built later to the south of the church which had some  13th century grave slabs and medieval tiles which had formed a pavement!

The nave with 7 bays (the space between each pair of circular pillars).

The abbey church would have served two different Middle Age communities.  The Nave was for the use of lay brothers. The choir monks, who had a much stricter daily routine and spent long hours in prayer, occupied the other - East end of the building.

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Window in the Clerestory

West Front - with its main feature of 2 large round-headed windows.

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The Tower, Crossing and North and South Transepts

The tower was supported on four great pointed arches and was probably not part of the original church  but added after 1157. It would have been a low "lantern" type tower.

The sedilia in the Presbytery.  In the choir area of the church eight divine offices were held each day beginning with Nocturn before dawn and finishing with Compline at dusk.

The North Transept - with two bays and a crypt below. The East wall has two plain archways leading to small chapels used by individual choir monks for private daily prayer.

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East Windows

Looking towards the cloisters from the Nave.

The cloister would have been surrounded by walkways. Unusually this cloister lies to the North rather than the South of the church probably due to the sloped ground and drainage towards the River Seven.  Walkways were used by monks for exercise and meditation when not at prayer.  Rather than grass the area in the centre would have been a garden with flowers, herb and fruit trees.

The East Range used by the choir monks. The buildings included a crypt, the Chapter House, a book room and sacristy.

The Chapter House whee the monks would have gathered each morning with the abbot presiding - a lesson would be read followed by commemoration of saints and on feast days a sermon. Abbey business and punishments to be administered would also be discussed.

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Medieval Tiles 

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I didn't realise you could visit the North Range so that was something else we missed.

The West Range was where the Lay Brothers lived. It had a basement and was probably two storey.  The lay brothers were illiterate and did most of the agricultural work of the abbey.

Before leaving we walked back to the drive as I had spotted Pyramidal Orchids in the grass.

Finally, here is the new bear bought from Wenlock Priory. I've decided to call him Brother Benedict (Benedict for short!!!).  

I hope everyone is staying safe and well.

*D Photos taken by D with the Canon SX50HS bridge camera

Rest of photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera

Reference: EH Guide Book to Buildwas Abbey