RUINS OF THE WEEK: Lilleshall Abbey, an Augustinian abbey founded between 1145 and 1148 in Shropshire. Approved by King Stephen and Roger de Clinton to suppress and replace St. Alkmund as a Chapel Royal, the abbey was completed with the added approval of the Empress Matilda. The canons followed the austere existence of the Arrouaise sect from northern France. Although the abbey was well-endowed and held many properties, by the 14th century it was struggling, due to financial mismanagement. The abbeys reputation began to suffer. In 1398, King Richard II and Queen Isabella, along with the royal retinue, broke their journey at the abbey en route to the Shrewsbury parliament. John of Gaunt was taken ill a few days later and forced to stay at the abbey. He later made a substantial gift and put his considerable influence at the abbeys disposal. By the beginning of the 15th century, thanks to better management, Lilleshall was financially solvent again. Lilleshall surrendered itself to King Henry VIII in 1538, after an audit found its income came just under the £200 threshold. The remaining 10 canons and the abbot were granted pensions of £5 and a small lump sum upon leaving. The abbey was sold a year later to James Leveson.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 00:45:00 +0000