 Muchelney Abbey
In a quaint little village on the Somerset Levels stands the abbot's
house of Muchelney Abbey, the only significant structure remaining of the former
Benedictine monastery. Although it is believed that a religious
house was located here as early as 693, the Benedictines were not established
at Muchelney Abbey until the mid 10th century. Sadly, all that exists
of the abbey church today are a few foundation walls, but evidence
suggests that it was a rather magnificent building.
Apart from the south cloister
walk, and the north wall of the refectory, very little else survives
from the 12th century. The abbot's house, dating mainly from the early
16th century, is a delightful combination of farmhouse practicality and
monastic beauty. On the external walls much of the finely carved
stonework survives, and internally there are good examples of carved
woodwork, a few fragments of wall paintings, and several pieces of stonework excavated
from the ruins on display.
Much decorative work can be seen in the south cloister, including arcading and traces of the
elaborate fan-vaulting, thought to have been influenced by Gloucester Cathedral.
Some of the medieval floor tiles that survived from the Lady Chapel
have been relaid in the small parish church of St Peter and St Paul,
which stands only 3ft (90cm) from the former north transept of the monastic
church. Again, records suggest that there has been a church
on this site since Saxon times, but the present church was completed
by the abbots in the early 1400s.
Other attractions of this most hospitable, and strangely untouched, west country village include
The Priests House - in the care of The National Trust - and The Almonry
Barn, which was thought to have been part of Muchelney Abbey's guest range at one time.
Having chosen a very pleasant day for our visit to this enchanting site, we took full advantage of the
weather and the wonderful orchard setting for an impromptu picnic, in
order that we could linger a little longer amidst the monastic influence
of serene beauty. |
