 Hailes Abbey
This late Cistercian house, built on the edge of the Cotswolds during the
mid-13th century, began life with something of a royal celebration.
Founded by Richard Earl of Cornwall, in honour of his life being spared
by a tragedy at sea, a group of monks from
Beaulieu Abbey formed the
core of the small settlement at Hailes Abbey.
Only some twenty years after the abbey church was completed, the east end was elaborately
extended to provide a chevet where a shrine could be erected to safely
house the holy blood of Christ. The authenticity of this relic was later
disputed, but throughout the remainder of the 13th century
Hailes Abbey was noted as one of the great pilgrimage centres of England. Very
little survives of this magnificent church but the foundation plan is
clearly defined in the well-manicured lawns, and the position of the shrine
is still visible.
Of the monastic buildings, nothing remains to any height except several arched entrances
from the cloisters, and a set of arched recesses built into the south
wall of the abbey church. Traces of the rich mouldings used can be seen in some
of the arches, and other fragments of detail can be made out with closer
inspection. Most of the surviving artefacts from the site are now exhibited
in the museum. From floor tiles to vaulting bosses, and finely carved
stone (believed to be from the shrine) to pieces of a 13th
century effigy of a knight. Apart from the obvious monastic treasures,
the museum also houses a collection of pottery.
Soon after the Dissolution Hailes Abbey was granted to Katherine Parr (sixth wife of Henry VIII), and
subsequently passed through a succession of family connections. It was
during this time that the abbey church was demolished and some of the monastic
buildings were converted for use as a family home. By the end of the
18th century the site had suffered extensive destruction
and it was left in an overgrown and decaying state until it was excavated
some 100 years later.
Our impression of Hailes Abbey was one of peace and seclusion. Although easily accessible
from the main road, it seemed as though it was miles from civilisation.
The ruins themselves sit in perfect harmony beside the great, spreading
chestnut trees and rows of elegant cypress and yew. During a visit
one Spring day, the site was awash with blossoms of every colour, and the
warmth of the sun brought out their delicate fragrances which somehow
intensified this wonderfully romantic atmosphere. It was also a delight
to see the cloisters still in use today - not as a place for prayer
and meditation - but as a pleasant grazing area for the local sheep!
Not to be missed after a visit to the abbey, is the small parish church situated
at the edge of the car park. The Norman church, in fact, existed about
a hundred years before Hailes Abbey was built, but later came under its jurisdiction
until the Dissolution. Although the church appears almost
insignificant when compared with the beautiful abbey ruins, a whole host
of ancient treasures are contained inside. |
