20 March 2011

Nunnaminster

The Nunnaminster, later known as St Mary's Abbey, was founded by Queen Ealhswith, Alfred the Great's wife, in 903 as a Nunnery, and it became one of the foremost centres of learning and art in England. By the 16th century it was one of the largest religious houses in England with 102 people living there including 26 Nuns, officials, servants and children of lords and gentlemen who were there to be educated.

In November 1539 the Abbey was surrendered to Henry VIII as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries and most of the monastic buildings were demolished. The site was cleared for the City's Guildhall in 1873. Archaeological excavations were carried out in the 1980s and here we can see stone coffins which were discovered.

13 comments:

  1. I've never seen stone coffins shaped like that!

    What a shame that the monasteries were demolished.

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  2. I agree with Dina--it's so sad that such buildings were not left and just changed hands instead of destroyed.
    Cool info about it. Thanks.

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  3. Oh my. Those coffins are a chilling reminder of our fate.

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  4. Aren't we all sorry that the Dissolution happened?

    This is such a poignant shot. When they built a new place right next to the cathedral in Quimper, Brittany, they stumbled upon a Medieval graveyard, where in fact many children were buried. After extensive examination, the remains were put back in place and works resumed. I have mixed feelings about 'disturbing the dead' like that, not that they would notice.

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  5. Yes the coffins are unusual. I also agree ciel de quimper about disturbing the dead and wonder what they did with any bones that were inside?

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  6. The coffins look quite small...was it for children? Very interesting story of the history though!

    Kaori
    PS: Thank you for commenting :-D

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  7. Thanks so much for this history lesson, I'm always learning interesting things with blog friends, it's cool!
    Have a nice week ahead,
    Léia

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  8. Amazing history you have! We just celebrated my city's 150th anniversary this last year....

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  9. Very interesting history indeed. These don't look very roomy.

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  10. I agree. These coffins do look a little snug. Certainly no room to roll over!

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  11. interesting to learn history through blogging. I've never seen a stone coffin, quite the craftsmanship.

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  12. Yes they're quite unusual, I han't seen them like this before

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