Anglesey Abbey, 1961 (MoC97/61)

Anglesey Abbey (Priory), Lode

History of Anglesey Abbey

Listed Building:

A priory of Augustinian canons was founded at Anglesey by Henry II. The remains of their early C13 building survive within the present fabric and earthworks in the garden mark the position of fishponds and drains. The priory was dissolved in 1536 and three years later was granted to John Hynde of Madingley (qv), upon whose death in 1550 it passed to Sir Francis Hynde. When Sir Francis died in 1595 the site came into the ownership of the Fowkes family, who converted what remained of the priory into a house. …..

Anglesey Abbey was visited around twenty times between 1328 and 1347 by Elizabeth de Burg, lady of Clare. As well as a patron of this small Augustinian Priory, it was a very convenient place for Elizabeth to conduct business for her foundation of Clare College in Cambridge, as well as to meet her friend Mary de Pol who often resided at Anstey, Fotheringhay, Denny and Waterbeach.

‘Abbey’ is a misnomer for the priory founded about 1212 by Richard de Clare. It is likely that there was already a ‘Hospital of the Blessed Mary of Anglesey’ here already. the creation of the priory buildings by 1236 was largely due to the generosity of Laurence of St Nichlas. He lived at Anglesey until his death in 1236. It was founded for 11 Canons and even by the Dissolution there were still 9. Most of their work was providing services in chantry chapels.

Coffin lid. at South Lawn, at Anglesey Abbey GV II Coffin lid, C13. Stone with bracketed cross.

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In 2020 the National Trust listed Anglesey Abbey as one of the properties with links to the slave trade. Anglesey Abbey was featured in the National Trust’s 2020 Interim Report on the Connections between Colonialism and Properties now in the Care of the National Trust, Including Links with Historic Slavery since Samuel Shepheard, who bought the property in 1739 but did not live there or make any additions to it, had been one of the 24 directors of the East India Company from 1717 to 1721.

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1939

After WWI Walter George Grayston b 1889, a member of the Grayston family associated with Linton, was appointed head gardener. In 1939 he was living in Lode High Street with his wife Eliza. He died in 1957 and both are buried in Lode church yard.