Boxley Abbey, Cistercian monastery in Boxley, England
Boxley Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in Kent and today consists of ruins of the church with surviving wall sections and openings. The site is surrounded by foundation walls and a collapsed gatehouse that reveal the original extent of the monastic complex.
The abbey was founded in 1146 when William of Ypres, a Fleming and military commander, established it and brought monks from a French monastery to settle there. It stood for around 400 years before being destroyed during the dissolution of monasteries in England.
The abbey shaped the valley through its economic activities and served as a spiritual center for the surrounding region. The monks maintained pastures and sheep farming, fundamentally changing how the land was used.
You can walk around freely since the ruins are in an open field, though sturdy footwear is wise because the ground is uneven. Bring weather protection as there is little shelter from rain and it takes time to explore the site properly.
The monastery once housed the Rood of Grace, an elaborate wooden figure that seemed to come alive through hidden mechanical tricks. When discovered as a fraud in 1538, it shocked people and raised questions about faith and deception.
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