A sunshine return to Lilleshall Abbey

Thursday 8th June 2023.

Thursday 8th June 2023.

The remains of Lilleshall Abbey as seen from a look-out tower above the majority of the site, 8th June 2023 (Author’s Collection).

With the UK gripped in the vice of a rather pleasing early Summer “heat-wave”, my son and I ventured back to Lilleshall Abbey for the first time since we enjoyed its charm and beauty for the first time last Summer. A pictorial stroll around the remains follows with (a) a brief colour commentary or (b) elongated passages of text in quotation marks taken directly from the information boards scattered around the site.

But first, a little historical background on Lilleshall Abbey?

“Lilleshall Abbey was founded in about 1148 for a community of Augustinian canons. By the late 13th century, it had become a religious house of great reputation and prestige. In the 14th century, however, a financial crisis contributed to a gradual dwindling of the community. After the abbey was suppressed in 1538, it was converted into a private house. The buildings were severely damaged in the Civil War during a Parliamentarian siege, but the extensive sandstone remains still give an impression of its past magnificence”.

“Lilleshall Abbey was founded in about 1148 for a group of Arrouasians from Dorchester Abbey in Oxfordshire, part of the wider congregation of Augustinian canons. The ‘black canons’, so called because of the colour of their habits, were communities of priests following a monastic rule but also preaching in churches and undertaking other parish work”.

“During the Civil War (1642–51), Lilleshall was fortified for the king. In 1645 it was besieged by Parliamentarian troops. After several weeks, the troops forced entry and severely damaged the former abbey buildings”.

“Lilleshall was then abandoned and left to decay. During the 18th century a canal was cut through the abbey precinct. The remains were placed in state care in 1950, and later repaired and consolidated”.

Quotes taken from the excellent website below and a hearty cheer for English Heritage who preserve these sites so well and for free admittance to all.

Bravo.

History of Lilleshall Abbey
Lilleshall Abbey was founded in about 1148 for a community of Augustinian canons. By the late 13th century, it had…www.english-heritage.org.uk

Welcome to Lilleshall Abbey! “12th and 13th century church and cloister buildings”.

The Refectory (Right) “The doorway to your right leads to the Canon’s Refectory, the room where they ate. Meals were taken in silence, apart from one of the Brothers reading scripture”. The West Range (Left and Centre) “The buildings here on the west side of the Cloister seem to have been largely rebuilt, probably in the 14th Century and to improve the Abbot’s accommodation”.

View from the wall of the West Range back across the Cloister and toward the main church building.

The intricate detail of the ceiling of the Slype or Parlour: “This narrow passage had doors at either end, probably giving access to the Canon’s infirmary at the east end of the Cloister. It may also have served as a Parlour, where the Canons could discuss important matters without breaking the Cloister rule of silence”.

Reverse view of the Slype or Parlour and the Sacristy (centre) where the “sacred vessels of ritual vestments used in the church services were stored”.

The strange upside down smile of the Sacristy: “This room and its contents were the responsibility of the Sacrist, one of the senior members of the Abbey community”.

One final reverse view of the majesty of the remains of the church.

“Ahead of you lay the heart of the Abbey Church, where the Canons attended their daily services and where Mass was said”.

“In the foreground was the choir, with the Canon’s wooden choir stalls set on either side”.

“It is difficult to know how many Canon’s were at Lilleshall in its heyday, though the figure is likely to have risen from a founding community of at least 13”.

“The Canon’s gathered in the choir seven times each day to celebrate the divine offices, the “Work of God” as it was known”.

“Mass was said in the Presbytery, at the High Altar, known to have been of painted wood at the time of the Suppression”.

Lilleshall Abbey, mid-morning, 8th June 2023.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this pictorial stroll, tell your friends! If you really enjoyed it, tell your enemies too! Anyway, here are my three most recently published articles that can be found within my “UK Travel” library:

Cricket, Carvery and an evening return to Ironbridge
7th June 2023.medium.com

Fish and Chips in Ironbridge — Part II
Sunday 4th June 2023.medium.com

Buildwas Abbey in the sunshine
Remains of a 12th Century Cistercian Monastery.medium.com