Croxton Abbey, Medieval abbey ruins in Croxton Kerrial, England
Croxton Abbey is a Premonstratensian monastery whose ruins include a cruciform church foundation roughly 209 feet long, with traces of cloisters and dormitories scattered across the grounds. Parts of the former guest house were later incorporated into the private residence New Park House.
Founded in 1101, the monastery received backing from William I, Count of Boulogne, who granted the village of Croxton Kerrial and additional lands. A major fire in 1326 destroyed the church and cloister, requiring extensive rebuilding work.
King John of England received his final confession from the abbot and was buried with his heart placed inside the abbey church after his death.
The ruins are scattered across countryside land mixed with modern houses, making the site somewhat spread out. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and many building foundations are only faintly visible as slight rises in the earth.
The 1326 fire started due to a plumber's carelessness, creating significant financial hardship for reconstruction efforts. This disaster revealed how even wealthy religious communities could struggle with recovery from a single catastrophe.
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