SPOTLIGHT ON READING ABBEY QUARTER BACKGROUND INFORMATION THE ABBEY QUARTER HISTORIC TIMELINE 1121 Reading Abbey founded by Henry I 1136 Henry I buried in front of the High Altar 1164 Abbey church consecrated by Archbishop Thomas Becket in the presence of Henry II 1185 Henry II receives Heraclius, patriarch of Jerusalem at the Abbey 1240c ‘Sumer is icumen in’ earliest known English round written down The Abbey Quarter is located in the centre of Reading to the east of the main 1359 Marriage of John Gaunt shopping district and train station. It is defined by the former precinct of Reading and Blanche of Abbey, which existed from its foundation by King Henry I in 1121 to its dissolution Lancaster at the Abbey by Henry VIII in 1539. 1453 Parliament newly WHY IS IT HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT? summoned to meet at Reading by Henry VI 1464 Edward IV publicly announces Elizabeth Woodville as his Queen after they secretly marry 1485 Grammar School established by Henry VII in the Refectory of the Hospitium Reading Abbey was one of northern The Quarter also contains historic 1539 Dissolution of Abbey by Europe’s most prestigious religious features from later periods, including Henry VIII - execution of centres, and one of the ten wealthiest Reading Prison, famous for Oscar the last Abbot, Hugh monastic houses in England. The Abbey Wilde’s Ballad of Reading Gaol, and Cook Faringdon, for Church, where Henry I was buried in the beautiful Victorian Forbury treason 1136, was the same size as Norwich Gardens. 1785 Jane Austen and her Cathedral. sister Cassandra attend Today much of the site is now school in Abbey Gateway After its dissolution the Abbot’s House protected as a scheduled monument 1897 Oscar Wilde leaves became a royal palace, a particular and there are over 50 listed buildings. favourite of Elizabeth I. In the eighteenth Reading Museum is also located in Reading Gaol century Jane Austen attended a school the Quarter and displays Reading’s 1915 Abbey becomes a Scheduled Ancient in the Abbey Gate. art, archaeology, historical and natural history collections. Monument Get the latest updates online Follow us on social media The Abbey Ruins including the Chapter House from the roof of Reading Gaol Our project focuses on the nationally important remains of Reading Abbey and the conservation of the Abbey Ruins and Abbey Gate. The £3.15million project has been developed following extensive public consultations and is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Reading Borough Council. In February 2017 specialist conservation teams undertook extensive, cutting-edge work on the Abbey Ruins and Gateway. The first milestone of the project was the opening of the ‘Story of Reading’ gallery at Reading Museum in February 2018. This has acted as the hub for any visit to the Abbey Quarter. In April 2018 the Abbey Gateway was launched in advance of its opening as the Victorian Schoolroom learning experience in September 2018. From June 2018 a programme of activities and events, interpretation and signage has given people opportunities to explore and enjoy the newly conserved and reopened heritage site, while revealing the prominent role that Reading has played across 1000 years of history. Finally, the new interpretation and conservation was revealed on 16 June 2018 at the successful re-opening of Reading Abbey after almost a decade of closure, attracting over 18,000 visitors on that launch day alongside Water Fest. The re-opening re-imagines the Abbey Quarter as the centre of Reading culture. This nationally significant site is free to access as well as being a unique venue for booked performances and hire..