- Leiston Abbey
Leiston Abbey, in
Suffolk ,England , was formerly known as St Mary's Abbey. It was founded in 1182 atMinsmere byRanulf de Glanville , Lord Chief Justice to Henry II. The only remains of the old site are the ruins of the Abbey chapel. [ [http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/news/story.aspx?brand=ESTOnline&category=News&tBrand=ESTOnline&tCategory=News&itemid=IPED03%20Jul%202008%2014%3A41%3A50%3A823 New life for old chapel] , Ipswich Evening Star, 4 July 2008]In 1363 the Abbey was transferred to
Leiston , and its patron,Robert de Ufford, 1st Earl of Suffolk , devoted his last years to the building.Leiston Abbey ruins
The order of the Abbey was a House of
Augustinian Canons Regular who followed thePremonstratensian rule. Unlike monks, their main duties were preaching and pastoral work.Leiston Abbey grounds
Following the
Dissolution Act in 1536, Leiston Abbey was granted toCharles Brandon, 3rd Duke of Suffolk and brother-in-law toHenry VIII . The Abbey became a farm, the farmhouse being built into the ruins. Later, a Georgian front was added to the house, which was extended in the 1920s.In 1928 the Abbey ruins and farm was bought by Ellen Wrightson for use as a religious retreat. When she died in 1946, she bequeathed the house, ruins, land and buildings to the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and
Ipswich . It was purchased in 1977 by the Pro Corda Trust.References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
