Polesworth Abbey

Polesworth Abbey was a Benedictine nunnery in Polesworth, North Warwickshire, England. It was founded in the 9th century by St. Modwena and King Egbert. The first abbess was Edgytha (daughter of King Egbert, now St. Editha).

The site of the Abbey is a Scheduled Ancient Monument although apart from the Church and the Gatehouse and the restored ruins of the Cloister very little remains visible. The 12th century Abbey church, now the parish church of St Editha is a Grade II* listed building. The 14th century Gatehouse is both a Grade II* listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument but is in poor condition and is officially a Building at Risk.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, the Abbey was granted by Henry VIII to Francis Goodere of St Albans, Hertfordshire in 1544. Goodere dismantled many of the Abbey buildings to provide stone for a new manor house ( Polesworth Hall) which he built on the site. Later Sir Henry Goodere, was a patron of the arts and leader of the Polesworth Group of poets which included his protegee Michael Drayton.

Polesworth Hall was demolished before 1868 and the Vicarage was built on the site.

References

* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42679 "A History of the County of Warwickshire, Volume 4" (1947)] from British History online
* [http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConBar.6788 Abbey Gatehouse] by English Heritage
* [http://timetrail.warwickshire.gov.uk/detail.aspx?monuid=WA206 Polesworth Abbey] by Warwickshire Timetrail.

External links

* [http://www.polesworthabbey.co.uk Polesworth Abbey]