England’s first Cistercian abbey was built near Farnham. The now
ruins of Waverley Abbey are situated in a peaceful loop of the River Wey
and still give an impression of the solitude experienced by the monks
who founded a monastery here almost 900 years ago.
The monastery at Waverley, the first Cistercian abbey to be
established in England, was founded by William Gifford, Bishop of
Winchester, in 1128. It was colonised with 12 monks and an abbot from
Aumone in France.
By 1187 there were 70 monks and 120 lay brothers in
residence. In 1201 the abbey buildings were badly flooded. This became a
common occurrence and as a result the abbey was substantially rebuilt
during the 13th century. It continued to grow in the 14th century. The
monks and lay brothers farmed the surrounding land, were active in the
Cistercian wool trade and provided shelter for pilgrims, travellers and
an infirmary for the sick.
In 1536, with the dissolution of the monasteries, the site passed to
Sir William Fitzherbert, treasurer of the king’s household. Much of the
abbey was dismantled and some of the stone was reused to build Sir
William More’s house at Loseley, a few miles to the east.
[ http://www.farnham.gov.uk/discover/history-and-heritage/waverley-abbey]
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