SDO10224 - Abbotsbury Abbey. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

A paper read at Abbotsbury, 15th September, 1886 in which Moule describes an early legend concerning the origin of the name and abbey of Abbotsbury. The register of the monastery suggests that Abbotsbury was an early Christian foundation by Bertufus following apparitions from St. Peter who concecrated the church and gave the name Abodesbyry. The actual first charter is of 1044, a grant from Edward the confessor to Orc. In 1886 it was still possible to see the lower courses of five bays at the eastern part of the north nave aisle north wall, excavated in 1871-2. this included the cheeks of five windows, sills and the bases of vaulting, all of 15th century work. The tile floor also remained partly exposed and was of plain tile. The western part of the north wall of the nave was also visible with the bases of 13th-14th century vaults. Moule had access to notes made by the Rev. Penny at the time of the excavation in 1871-2. these record that the nave was 192ft. Long and 54ft. Wide. The choir was 27ft. Wide and of unknown length. There was no sign of transepts. A chapel, perhaps the Strangways chantry, opened from the NE part of the nave. The chancel was narrowed by about 13.5ft. On each side compared to the nave. Moule suggested that this corresponded to the width of the nave aisles. Large buttresses suggest that the roof had been vaulted and there were signs of a south door rowards the east end of the nave. The remainder of the paper dealt with Moule's proposed scheme for the layout of the monastery based on a description of standing buildings, architectural fragments and earthwork remains.