Why build an ?

So, the Countess of founded the abbey, but The Foundation of Buckland Abbey -When and why it was WHY did the pick such an isolated spot on first created: Dartmoor???

Buckland Abbey, started life as a monastery founded in Water was the key reason behind the decision to build 1273 by Amicia, Countess of Devon. Buckland Abbey on the edge of Dartmoor. Cistercian monks chose this isolated site in the valley of the River Tavy, (where Source ‘The Grant of Foundation of Buckland Abbey’ the name comes from) because it was close to water. Cistercian monks also chose to reside in remote, “We, Amicia, Countess of Devon, trusting in the goodness of secluded places and Buckland being on the edge of Dartmoor the Supreme Maker of all good things… found the Abbey, certainly fitted the bill! This was because the Cistercian which we desire should be called St. Benedict’s of Buckland, Order said they should be isolated ‘far from the haunts of in our manor of Buckland, for the health of the souls of…” men’. Here follows a long list of people she had known in her life such as kings and queens, her parents, husband and As well as being isolated and peaceful, there were practical children. reasons for their choice - the availability of running water from the local stream, timber for construction, and good

Why did she found it? building stone in the locality. Locally there was a type of slate called shillet. All of Buckland’s original buildings are made Buckland’s founder was Amicia de Redvers, she was a from this. widow of Baldwin de Redvers, 6th Earl of Devon. Their son Baldwin de Redvers, 7th Earl of Devon died in France in Buckland was established as a monastic foundation in 1278, 1262 (some say by poisoning, others claim an illness) the last of 78 medieval Cistercian abbeys to be built in Amicia’s decision to found a Cistercian Abbey situated and Wales. For over 250 years the monks prospered. among the Redvers estates in Devon was therefore an act However, the attraction of their way of life waned. At the of pious remembrance. She gave the monks the manors of Dissolution of the monasteries 1536-40, only the and Buckland, nearby Bickleigh, Walkhampton and 12 monks remained to be exiled from the abbey.

to ensure their wealth.

Key words to know and use when understanding the history of Buckland Abbey.

Abbot - a man who is the head of an abbey of monks.

Monk - a member of a religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

Laybrother – someone who belongs to a religious community and does the simply jobs such as tending the land and serving food. They are NOT like choir monks who dedicate themselves to religious worship and contemplation

Abbey - the building or buildings occupied by a community of monks or , also known as a monastery

Dormitories – the building in which the monks sleep

Chapter House – the building where monks hold meetings and where a chapter of the Rule of St Benedict would be read to them every morning

Rule of St Benedict – a collection of texts written by St Benedict who founded monasticism – in other words he came up with the idea of monks devoting their lives to God in monasteries

Refectory – where the monks meet to eat their meals

Buttress - a structure of stone or brick built against a wall to strengthen or support it.

Bar tracery – thin stone patterns which break up and hold stained glass in the abbey buildings. Decorative.

Infirmary – early version of a hospital on monastic lands

Monastic – belonging to the abbey/monastery

Break From Rome – When Henry VIII broke away from the Faith and replaced the as the Head of the Church in England. This occurred in 1533-4 and he dissolved the Catholic monasteries in England by 1539.

Agricultural Revolution - The Agricultural Revolution was a period of technological improvement and increased crop productivity that occurred during the 18th and early 19th centuries in England and Europe

Task: Create a mindmap that explains why Countess Amicia had Buckland Abbey built.

Why was Buckland Abbey built?

ll