Cleeve Abbey is a well preserved Cistercian Abbey near the town of Washford, Somerset, England. Founded late 12th century, many buildings survived the Dissolution in 1536.

The site boasts some of the finest still standing Monks living quarters in Britain, with 15th century wall paintings, and medieval tiled flooring.

History as an Abbey

Cleeve Abbey was founded in the late twelfth century by William, Earl of Roumare, between 1186 and 1191, who was impressed by Cistercian monks strictness towards poverty prayer and obedience. On the 25th June 1198, a new colony of twelve monks was established.

The Abbey was initially called Vallis Florida (Flowering Valley) but later became Cleeve after the nearby village.

The Abbey gradually increased in size, land and occupants, reaching twenty eight monks in 1297. A major source of income was the export of wool.

The Black Death and a general decline in the Abbeys fortunes meant that at the time of Dissolution, the inhabitants numbered fifteen.

Post Dissolution

On the 6th of September 1536, Abbot Dovell surrended the buildings to the Crown. Some monks were transferred to another Abbey, other were paid a pension. The church was demolished.

After the Abbey became Crown property, it was leased to a 'gentleman' for five years. In 1538, the site was granted to Robert, Earl of Sussex. By early seventeenth century, Cleeve had turned into a farm. The dormitory was now a large barn, and the cloisters was the farmyard.

Archaeological Site

George Luttrell of Dunster Castle acquired the site in 1870. The site stopped being used as a farm and excavations started. The farmhouse was converted into rental cottages, and the site became a tourist attraction.

Cleeve Abbey was passed back to the Crown in 1949 to pay for Death Duties from the Luttrell estate. Major restoration work followed. In 1984, English Heritage was established, and took over the responsibility for Cleeve Abbey.

Modern Day

The Abbey was used as a backdrop for the TV series Maid Marian and her Merry Men.

References

Harrison, Stuart A. (2000). Cleeve Abbey (Guidebook). English Heritage. ISBN 1850747601.