Netley Abbey
A bit of a change for this post as I visited Netley Abbey with some friends, technically ruins instead of an abandoned and derelict building, a site accessible for all. I never planned to do a post on the Abbey, but found some of its history and lore fascinating. Netley Abbey is the most complete surviving Cistercian Monastery in Southern England.
Peter Des Roches, Bishop of Winchester was the man responsible for the build of the Monastery in 1238. Ironically he passed away before the build even began. Work continued without him and King Henry the III became it's patron. Once completed it was home to fifteen monks and thirty lay brothers and servants.
In 1536 Monastery life came to a halt, and the building was gifted by King Henry III to a Sir William Paulet, for his loyal service to the king. A powerful political figure, Sir Paulet set about transforming the Abbey into a Tudor Mansion Home. Many of the conversions he built were in red brick, but largely removed in the later 19th century. Traces of the red brick walls can still be seen today.
The mansion was occupied until 1704, when it was sold for its building materials. The Abbey was saved from demolition when the new owner was killed by falling brick. The site sat abandoned, apparently haunted by the previous owner, a builder with the name Taylor, the site quickly became overgrown with ivy and greenery. It quickly became popular and celebrated for its romantic beauty. John Constable came to paint the Abbey, and writers such as Thomas Gray, Francis Towne, George Keats and Jane Austen are said to have found inspiration here. (Some of the earliest urban explorers perhaps?)
Peter Des Roches, Bishop of Winchester was the man responsible for the build of the Monastery in 1238. Ironically he passed away before the build even began. Work continued without him and King Henry the III became it's patron. Once completed it was home to fifteen monks and thirty lay brothers and servants.
In 1536 Monastery life came to a halt, and the building was gifted by King Henry III to a Sir William Paulet, for his loyal service to the king. A powerful political figure, Sir Paulet set about transforming the Abbey into a Tudor Mansion Home. Many of the conversions he built were in red brick, but largely removed in the later 19th century. Traces of the red brick walls can still be seen today.
The mansion was occupied until 1704, when it was sold for its building materials. The Abbey was saved from demolition when the new owner was killed by falling brick. The site sat abandoned, apparently haunted by the previous owner, a builder with the name Taylor, the site quickly became overgrown with ivy and greenery. It quickly became popular and celebrated for its romantic beauty. John Constable came to paint the Abbey, and writers such as Thomas Gray, Francis Towne, George Keats and Jane Austen are said to have found inspiration here. (Some of the earliest urban explorers perhaps?)
A lot of the ivy and greenery has now been cut back, and the site is well maintained. There are a lot of ghost stories surrounding the site, and ghost walks are often organized. Some of the stories I can find relate to an apparent Nun whom body was found in 1700's, entombed in the very walls of the Abbey, buried alive for her sins. Taylor the late owner, stalking the site, and the mysterious black apparition of a Monk whom has been seen numerous times. (And apparently even caught on photographs).
Comments
Post a Comment