PDA

View Full Version : Buildwas Abbey, Shropshire, April '10



boxfrenzy
09-04-2010, 10:29 AM
Two unrelated events took place here at Buildwas Abbey, 668 years apart. One was a murder, the second was your intrepid reporter's first picnic of the decade.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4504351373_460dea54ae.jpg

Like a lot of places I like visiting with my kids, there is not masses to see. Still, they are exciting places to run around in, climb up and down steps, fall over some old tiles and cry, urinate against a hedge, regularly have your nose blown and make a nuisance of yourself in front of member of the public. Luckily the kids are very tolerant when their father behaves like this.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4504983252_6f23dd6070.jpg

This place was built in 1135, as a Savignac monastery, later being absolved into the Cistercian Order in 1147. The parts that remain are cool, built out of stone and in decent condition for 800 years or so of weathering.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4504983796_b96ff5ea57.jpg

The nave was clearly a very majestic part of the abbey. Today it, like most other parts is ruined.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4504349159_cc707bc638.jpg

A couple of shots in the chapel crypt, something that sounded much more exciting than it was. Still, I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, no shots of the rather cool Chapter House.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4504982610_f115936a0a.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4504349447_44535608af.jpg

In 1342, the abbot was murdered here by Thomas Tong, one of the monks, who, incredibly managed to evade arrest and seek re-instatement into the Cistercian order. In 1406, the abbot was kidnapped by raiders from nearby Powys. These events, plus the toll the Black Death claimed on the population meant that the abbey was in decline for it's latter years, renting out is lands and having only 4 choir monks.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4504349831_e04aca29b6.jpg

If you like tiles, then there are some here for you to see. here is a picture of one of them. They are hundreds of years old, and actually quite cool.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4504351109_3cebae0e75.jpg


Henry VIII gave the order to shut this place down in 1536, after nearly 400 years.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4504983612_f5f5073f44.jpg

The location of the picnic was slightly out of shot and to the right. For your reference, here are the figures
crisps of the floor x6
wasps seen x1
occasions father irritated at small children talking with mouth full x3
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4504350177_a7fdc93c91.jpg

SilentHill
09-04-2010, 11:03 AM
That's ace mate :thumb I could easily pass my days visiting historic sites like this :)

And loving the picnic stats :laugh

ceejam
09-04-2010, 03:27 PM
Just love it, :thumb Very witty and informative in one :lol: looks superb place aswell :thumb

Tumbles
09-04-2010, 04:25 PM
Any shots of the crisps?

Great pictures.. f4 just made me think Tintern abbey at dusk would be a good jolly.

Neosea
09-04-2010, 06:05 PM
Did you look at the pub next door which was the abbots residence?

judderman62
09-04-2010, 10:18 PM
ehmmmm what everyone else said :


good pics
funny
facts
nice place
good stats ( 3 x annoyed at mouth full talking is not too bad)
usual standard of postage from the frenzied box


Nice one matey :thumb

evilnoodle
09-04-2010, 10:47 PM
Gorgeous place :thumb
Witty report :thumb
Fab pics :thumb especially no 4.