Wymondham Abbey (Wymondham)

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The current buildings known as Wymondham Abbey are the remains of a monastery, founded in 1107 by William d'Aubigny. Excavation in 2002 has discovered the fabric of a Late Saxon or Norman church beneath the nave of the current church, and an even earlier burial indicating the presence of a Saxon church nearby.

The medieval abbey was initially founded as a dependant of the Benedictine monastery at St Albans, where William d'Aubigny's uncle was Abbott. However, it grew in wealth and influence until in 1448 it became an abbey in its own right. A history of tension between the abbey and the townsfolk is recorded, and during much of the medieval period the north aisle and nave were in use by the town, the south aisle and chancel by the monks of the abbey.

It is this twin possession of the church that produced the two towers which today form such a stunning landmark, one at either end of the nave. Originally the church was cruciform in shape, with a tower over the central crossing. This became unstable in the late 14th century, and was rebuilt slightly further west, blocking off the nave from the chancel and becoming the current eastern tower. Following the dissolution, the church buildings to the east of the tower were demolished, and the tower itself fell into disuse, and stands today as a shell.

Inside, the church contains what may be the finest work of the architect Ninian Comper, a glorious gilded reredos screen built in the 1920s which has clearly visible medieval inspiration. It, like the rest of the church and the evocative ruins that surround it, is well worth a visit.

www.wymondhamabbey.nildram.co.uk/
www.gyam.org.uk/SingleResult.aspx?uid=MNF9437
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/wymondham/wymondhamcofe.htm