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Pershore Abbey

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Venue Type & Location

Church

Site Name: Pershore Abbey
Location: Pershore
County: Worcestershire
Location Type: Town - in town at determined location

Overview

Original furnishings remain in the form of a round, Norman font with tapering sides. Christ and the apostles are found under beaded intersecting arches.

The north transept holds a screen dating from 1435 which reads 'MC bi bino triplex et addere quarto/Ann Willelmis dni Newnton fect Abbas.'

Paint traces of a large figure are found on the north side of the southeast crossing pier.

Performance History

A performance by the King’s Minstrels took place there in 1495 – 1496, paid for by the abbot.

Current Status

The Abbey survives although large part of the originial structure no longer exist. Today, the choir, south transept and tower can still be seen. Footings of the nave allow us to measure the original length of the whole building, c. 325 ft. The Abbey Church is now known as the parish church of the Holy Cross with the mother church of St. Andrew.

Website

History of the Venue

Pershore Abbey was founded in about 689 by King Oswald. In about 976 it was destroyed but was restored and reformed by Ethelwold in 983.

Building at Pershore began about 1090, however the eastern limb was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt between 1223-39. In 1288 the building was again seriously damaged by fire.

The Abbey was dissolved in 1539 at which time the nave, the Lady Chapel at the east end and all the monastic buildings were pulled down.

The north transept collapsed and the crossing tower was shored up on that side in 1686.

A general restoration took place between 1862- 5 by Scott.

Futher restorations took place in the early 20th c. by Sir Harold Brakspear.

Patrons who owned this venue

[No data found.]

Bibliographic Sources

View a list of abbreviations.

  • Noakes, J. Noake's Guide to Worcestershire. London: Longman & Co., 1868
  • Pevsner, Nikolaus. Worcestershire. Harmondsworth, Midd: Penguin Books, 1968