The forlorn and fragmented ruins of Bury St Edmunds Abbey today cannot begin to portray the image of a once wealthy and powerful monastery. Indeed, it was among the richest Benedictine monasteries in England. This religious site had already been in use for nearly three centuries when the martyred remains of King Edmund were enshrined at the round, stone Saxon monastery, thereby making it a popular place of pilgrimage.

Although the structure of the Norman abbey was begun soon after the great invasion of 1066, the monastic church was much enlarged and rebuilt during the 12th century. At some 505ft (153m) long, and spanning 246ft (74.5m) across the width of it's westerly transept, Bury St Edmunds abbey church was one of the largest in the country. Between various building projects undertaken during the 13th and 14th centuries, the monks encountered much hostility from the local people who tired of being under the influence of this powerful abbey. Throughout the summer of 1327 the monastery suffered extensively. Several monks lost their lives in the riots, and many of the buildings were completely destroyed. Other disturbances, disputes and disasters befell Bury St Edmunds Abbey for a further five decades, resulting in yet more building operations.

Already faced with considerable financial strain, Bury St Edmunds Abbey went even further into decline after unfortunate events in the first half of the 15th century. In 1431 the west tower of the abbey church collapsed. Two years later Henry VI decided to stay at Bury St Edmunds Abbey for Christmas, and was still enjoying monastic hospitality four months later. Bury St Edmunds abbey was at the centre of trouble again in 1446 when the Duke of Gloucester died in suspicious circumstances after his arrest. To end this catalogue of disasters, the entire church was burnt out in 1465 following an accidental fire. Largely rebuilt by 1506, the abbey of Bury St Edmunds settled into a quieter existence until the time of Dissolution in 1539. Subsequently stripped of all valuable building materials and artefacts, the abbey ruins were left as a convenient quarry for local builders.

The abbey precincts were vast, and several gatehouses were positioned along the boundary walls, but only two have survived intact. Both located at the western edge of the site, the Great Gate and St James' Gate (the Norman tower) were constructed some 200 years apart, but each is a magnificent architectural monument to the particular building period. Despite there being so little visible evidence today of the abbey church and claustral buildings, the fine detail on these two gateways is a good indication of the quality and skill employed in the construction of Bury St Edmunds Abbey. It is remarkable to think that just 500 years ago a thriving community of some 80 monks were living, working and worshipping on the very site which has since been reduced to nothing more than a pile of rubble.

Combining a visit to Bury St Edmunds Abbey with one to St Edmundsbury Cathedral will provide a fascinating comparison of religious life and styles.