Evesham Abbey

The year of the foundation of the abbey (that is, when a monastic community was first established) is problematic. William Tindal (1794) comments that "I have a MS. but without name or reference, which says that he [i.e. Ecgwine] began his Abbey in the year 682. This is before he was made bishop, and seems improbable. Tanner [Not. Mon. p.168] says in 701. The date of Pope Constantine’s charter may decide the point as to the consecration of his Abbey, but there is reason to suppose that Egwin began to build as early as the year 702".William Tindal, The History and Antiquities of the Abbey and Borough of Evesham (Evesham: John Agg, 1794), p.2 third footnote. The year 702 is also given in Saint Egwin and his Abbey of Evesham by the Benedictines of Stanbrook (London: Burns & Oates, 1904), p.15. Tindal (1756–1804), a Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford and chaplain of the Tower of London, was the grandson of the historian Rev Nicolas Tindal. (Dictionary of National Biography) George May gives 701 as the year that Ethelred conferred on Ecgwine the whole peninsula {{Citation |publisher = G. May |location = Evesham, [Eng.] |title = A descriptive history of the town of Evesham, from the foundation of its Saxon monastery, with notices respecting the ancient deanery of its vale |author = May, George of Evesham, England. |date = 1845 |oclc = 4784873 |ol = 7173099M }}, p.21 with the erection of the monastery commencing in the same year.George May (1845), p.24

On the other hand, the year of the consecration derives from the grant of the first privilege to the abbey from Pope Constantine "written in the seven hundred and ninth year of our Lord’s incarnation."Sayers & Watkiss, Thomas of Marlborough: History of the Abbey of Evesham (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2003), section 323, page 319 Ecgwine allegedly returned from Rome bearing this charter, which was apparently read out by Archbishop Berhtwald at a council of "the whole of England" held at Alcester,Thomas of Marlborough: History of the Abbey of Evesham, p.lxxxiv. although that meeting was probably fictitious.Thomas of Marlborough: History of the Abbey of Evesham, footnote 2, page 20 Thomas of Marlborough records that, in accordance with the apostolic command, a community of monks was then establishedThomas of Marlborough: History of the Abbey of Evesham, section 18, page 23. (meaning the foundation has also been dated to 709):

"When the blessed Ecgwine saw that longed-for day when the place which he had built would be consecrated, and a monastic order established to serve God in that place, he then abandoned all concerns for worldly matters, and devoted himself to a contemplative way of life. Following the example of the Lord by humbling himself, he resigned his bishop's see, and became abbot of the monastery."Thomas of Marlborough: History of the Abbey of Evesham, section 18, page 23

The alleged charter of Ecgwine (purportedly written in 714) records that on the feast of All Saints "Bishop Wilfrid and I consecrated the church which I had built to God, the Blessed Mary, and to all Christ’s elect".Thomas of Marlborough: History of the Abbey of Evesham, section 32, page 39 The feast of All Saints became established in the West after 609 or 610 under Pope Boniface IV; its observance on 1 November dates from the time of Pope Gregory III (died 741).Thomas of Marlborough: History of the Abbey of Evesham, footnote 2 to page 38 A Bishop Wilfrid was Egwin’s successor to the see of Worcester (though he is sometimes confused with Wilfrid, Bishop of York, who died c. 709).

Although the exact year of the foundation remains unclear, it has sometimes been assumed that the date of the abbey's consecration was the feast of All Saints in 709.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} That the consecration occurred on this feast day would provide a neat connection with All Saints' Church in Evesham. That Abbot Clement Lichfield lies buried beneath the Chantry Chapel, now known as the Lichfield Chapel in consequence, provides a link to the closing days of the life of the abbey.

File:19th_Century_oil_painting_of_the_abbey’s_bell_tower_and_churches_at_Evesham.jpg

During the dissolution of the monasteries, on its surrender to the king in 1540 the abbey was plundered and razed to the ground, although the bell tower built earlier that century was saved.{{Cite book |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/worcs/vol2/pp112-127 |title=A History of the County of Worcester, Volume 2 |date=1971 |publisher=University of London |editor-last1=Willis-Bund |editor-first1=J. W. |editor-link1=John William Willis-Bund |series=Victoria County History |pages=112–127 |chapter=Houses of Benedictine monks: Abbey of Evesham |access-date=8 November 2022 |editor-last2=Page |editor-first2=William |editor-link2=William Page (historian) |via=British History Online}} The tower stands {{Convert|110|ft}} tall and is a Grade I listed building.{{National Heritage List for England|num=1081353|desc=The Bell Tower|access-date=8 November 2022}} Other remains include:

• The abbey's almonry, from the 15th century and earlier, Grade I listed,{{National Heritage List for England|num=1302722|desc=The Almonry, Merstow Green|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}} has been restored and houses the Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre
• The L-shaped house which is now numbers 53 and 54, Merstow Green, incorporates the abbey's Great Gate from the early 14th century and a vaulted passage from the same period; Grade I listed{{National Heritage List for England|num=1156720|desc=Nos 53 and 54 incorporating Remains of Abbey Gate|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}}
• Abbot Reginald's gateway and wall, c.1120 with 15th-century room above; Grade I listed{{National Heritage List for England|num=1081349|desc=Abbot Reginald's Gateway|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}}{{National Heritage List for England|num=1005298|desc=Abbot Reginald's Gateway and Old Vicarage (scheduled monument)|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}}
• Part of the south wall of the abbey precinct, restored, including an arched doorway{{National Heritage List for England|num=1156586|desc=Remains of south wall of Abbey Precinct|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}}
• A 13th-century archway which led to the chapter house{{National Heritage List for England|num=1081391|desc=Archway to south of the remains of west wall of north transept of Abbey|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}}
• Fragmentary remains of the west wall of the north transept of the abbey{{National Heritage List for England|num=1156614|desc=Remains of west wall of North Transept of Abbey|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}}
• A wall, blocked arches and a window which are the remains of the abbey stables, 14th and 15th centuries; Grade II* listed{{National Heritage List for England|num=1350068|desc=Remains of Abbey Stables|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}}

The full area of the abbey precincts, most of which is today a public park, was designated as a scheduled monument in 1949.{{National Heritage List for England|num=1005297|desc=Evesham Abbey (remains of) (scheduled monument)|access-date=8 November 2022|fewer-links=yes}} {{As of|2022}}, the site in general and in particular the almonry and Abbot Reginald's wall, are on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register owing to their vulnerable condition.{{Cite web |title=Evesham Abbey (remains of) |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/37189 |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Heritage at Risk |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Almonry, Merstow Green, Evesham |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/253063 |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Heritage at Risk |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Abbot Reginalds Wall, Evesham Abbey |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/heritage-at-risk/search-register/list-entry/48001 |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Heritage at Risk |language=en}}

Other buildings linked to the history of the abbey include Middle Littleton tythe barn.

• Saint Egwin, third bishop of Worcester and founder of Evesham Abbey
• Saint Credan,Evesham Abbey and the Parish Churches: A Guide, p.8, and The Victoria History of the County of Worcester, p.387 abbot of the abbey during the reign of King Offa of Mercia[http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2753 Saint Credan] at Catholic.org
• Saint Wigstan of Mercia (aka Wulstan and Wystan)'The Medieval Hagiography of Saint Ecgwine', p.79 & p.83. This notes that Abbot Ælfweard occupied himself with increasing Evesham’s prestige, and instigated the translation of Saint Wigstan to Evesham, and Evesham Abbey and the Parish Churches: A Guide, p.8. E.J. Rudge, p.13 notes that Ælfweard entreated King Canute to present the abbey church with the relics of Wystan. George May (1834), p.47 refers to St Wulstan. Also see The Victoria History of the County of Worcester, p.387 and 'The Mitred Abbey of St. Mary, Evesham', p.12.
• Saint Odulf,'The Medieval Hagiography of Saint Ecgwine', p.79 & p.83. This notes that Abbot Ælfweard occupied himself with increasing Evesham’s prestige, and purchased the relics of Saint Odulf.Evesham Abbey and the Parish Churches: A Guide, p.8; The Victoria History of the County of Worcester, p.387 a Frisian saintThe Oxford Dictionary of Saints, Oxford University Press. and missionaryEmma Hornby, David Nicholas Maw, Essays on the History of English Music in Honour of John Caldwell (Boydell & Brewer, 2010) [https://books.google.com/books?id=ERDFUoTmK0sC&pg=PA10 p.10] (d. 855) recorded in the Hagiographies of Secgan,[https://archive.today/20140103065303/http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/Viewer.aspx?ref=stowe_ms_944_f029v Stowe MS 944], British Library 'Saint Ecgwine',On St. Odulf see ‘The Medieval Hagiographies of Saint Ecgwine’, p.79 & p.83. This notes that Abbot Ælfweard occupied himself with increasing Evesham’s prestige, and purchased the relics of Saint Odulf and see also the hagiography of St Odulf and hagiography of St Odulf, the Ave presul gloriose Augustine psalter,In the Ave presul gloriose I Augustine he is linked with Oda of Canterbury and Chronicon Abbatiae de EveshamMullins, E. L. C. (1958). Texts and Calendars I: An Analytical Guide to Serial Publications. Royal Historical Society Guides and Handbooks No. 7. London: Royal Historical Society.

• Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of LeicesterOn the burial of Simon de Montfort see George May, The History of Evesham (1834), p.65; E.J. Rudge, A Short History of Evesham, p.141; William Tindal, History and Antiquities of Evesham, p.137; Evesham Abbey and the Parish Churches: A Guide, p.8.
• Henry de MontfortGeorge May (1834), p.65; E.J. Rudge, p.141; Tindal, p.137; Douglas Greenwood, p.81
• Hugh le Despencer, 1st Baron le DespencerGeorge May (1834), p.65; Tindal, p.137; E.J. Rudge, p.141.
• Robert de Stafford
• Thomas of Marlborough

File:J._M._W._TURNER_Evesham_Abbey.jpg

Prints of picturesque ruins accompanied the growth of domestic tourism in Britain during the second half of the 18th century, among which can be found striking images of the remains of the abbey walls and bell tower at Evesham. These, accompanied by scenic and historical descriptions, were collected, for example, in such works as Francis Grose's Antiquities of England and Wales (1786)[http://www.antiqueprints.com/proddetail.php?prod=f4156 Antique Prints] and, more particularly, Samuel Ireland's Picturesque Views on the Upper or Warwickshire Avon (1795).[https://books.google.com/books?id=y1dJAAAAcAAJ&dq=picturesque+%22Evesham+Abbey%22&pg=PA249-IA1 pp.250-55] Among the visiting artists who came to paint them was J. M. W. Turner, who in 1793 made pen and wash studies of the abbey gateway[https://risdmuseum.org/art-design/collection/arch-old-abbey-evesham-6915460 RISD Museum] and of the Church of St Laurence seen through the bell tower's arch.[https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-the-church-of-st-lawrence-evesham-seen-through-the-arch-of-the-bell-tower-d00406 Tate Gallery] An anonymous artist of the period also left a panorama of the tower and churches behind it as seen from the river.[https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Bell_Tower_of_Evesham_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg Yale Center for British Art]

In the following century, the antiquary Edward Rudge began excavations of the abbey remains on parts of his property, between 1811 and 1834. The results were given to the Society of Antiquaries of London; illustrations of the discoveries were published in their Vetusta Monumenta with a memoir by his son, Edward John Rudge and illustrations by his wife, Anne Rudge.{{cite DNB|wstitle =Rudge, Edward|first =Bernard Barham |last =Woodward |author-link =Bernard Barham Woodward|volume = 49|quote=sources: [Burke's Landed Gentry; Proc. Linn. Soc. i. 315, 337; Gent. Mag. 1846 ii. 652, and 1817 i. 181; Britten and Boulger's English Botanists; Royal Soc. Cat.; Brit. Mus. Cat.] }}

Evesham Abbey Trust, a charity and charitable incorporated organisation registered in 2016, aims to conserve, preserve and improve the abbey site and environs.{{EW charity|5070917|Evesham Abbey Trust}} Since May 2017, the trust owns the freehold of much of the site following its gifting by the Rudge family.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.eveshamabbey.org.uk/About/About_Us.html |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Evesham Abbey Trust |language=en}} The trust in 2019 obtained over £1m of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and other local and regional funders to begin the conservation and restoration of the abbey walls and the creation of a set of interpretive gardens.{{Cite web |title=Programme |url=https://www.eveshamabbey.org.uk/Programme.html |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Evesham Abbey Trust |language=en}} The work was completed in 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-22 |title=Historic abbey reopens after £1.3m restoration |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-65358453 |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

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 while retaining the name Evesham Abbey.

• Abbot of Evesham, for a list of abbots
• Worcester Cathedral
• Chronicle of Evesham Abbey

{{Reflist}}

• Thomas of Marlborough (c.1190–1236) History of the Abbey of Evesham Ed. and trans. by Jane Sayers and Leslie Watkiss, Oxford University Press {{ISBN|978-0-19-820480-0}}, {{ISBN|0-19-820480-9}}
• Cox, David, The Church and Vale of Evesham 700-1215: Lordship, Landscape and Prayer Boydell Press, 2015. {{ISBN|978-1-78327-077-4}}.
• Evesham Abbey and the Parish Churches: A Guide
• Evesham Abbey and Local Society in the Late Middle Ages: The Abbot's Household Account 1456–7 and the Priors' Registers 1520–40, ed. David Cox, Worcestershire Historical Society, new ser. 30, 2021
• Walker, John A., Selection of curious articles from the Gentleman's magazine, vol. 1, 1811, Chap. LXXXV, [https://books.google.com/books?id=DI9PAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA334 Historical Account of the Abbey of Evesham], pp. 334–342. Accessed 31 July 2012.

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• [https://www.eveshamabbey.org.uk/ Evesham Abbey Trust]

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