Monument record MDO700 - Late Saxon Monastery, Cerne Abbey, Cerne Abbas
Please read our guidance about the use of Dorset Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
A Late Saxon monastery was founded under Benedictine rule by Aethelmaer in AD 987. It was founded in honour of St Mary the Blessed Virgin, St Peter and St Benedict. It is likely to have been founded close to the site of St Austin's Well, to the north and east of the present churchyard. William of Malmesbury claimed that St Augustine himself caused the well to flow forth and that St Edwold, a 9th century hermit, had his hermitage here. Furthermore, William of Malmesbury claimed that St Dunstan endowed the Abbey with Relics of St. Edwold [1][2].
Leland claimed that Cnut plundered the monastery but later became a benefactor [2].
To date no physical evidence of the late Saxon monastery has been recovered.
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
A Late Saxon monastery was founded under Benedictine rule by Aethelmaer in AD 987. It was founded in honour of St Mary the Blessed Virgin, St Peter and St. Benedict. It is likely to have been founded close to the site of St. Austin's Well, to the north and east of the present churchyard. William of Malmesbury claimed that St. Augustine himself caused the well to flow forth and that St. Edwold, a 9th century hermit, had his hermitage here. Furthermore, William of Malmesbury claimed that St Dunstan endowed the Abbey with Relics of St. Edwold [1][2].
Leland claimed that Cnut plundered the monastery but later became a benefactor [2].
To date no physical evidence of the late Saxon monastery has been recovered.
Sources/Archives (3)
- <1> SWX1805 Monograph: Page, W (Ed). 1908. The Victoria History of the County of Dorset 2. 2. 53-4.
- <2> SWX1202 Monograph: Penn, K J. 1980. Historic Towns in Dorset. 30.
- <3> SDO97 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England. 1952. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West). 77-80.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (6)
- Parent of: Cerne Abbey (formerly Abbey House) Abbey Street, Cerne Abbas (Listed Building) (MDO705)
- Parent of: Guest House, Cerne Abbey, Cerne Abbas (Listed Building) (MDO704)
- Parent of: Medieval Abbey of St Peter, Cerne Abbas (Monument) (MDO701)
- Parent of: North Barn, Cerne Abbey, Cerne Abbas (Monument) (MDO703)
- Parent of: Porch to Abbots Hall, Cerne Abbas (Monument) (MDO702)
- Parent of: St Augustine's Well, Cerne Abbas (Monument) (MDO706)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Location
| Grid reference | ST 666 014 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ST60SE |
| Civil Parish | Cerne Abbas; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 1 027 002 A
- Royal Commission Inventory Reference: Cerne Abbas 2
Record last edited
Mar 15 2024 12:33PM
