Our island is steeped in a rich history. One that, along with its stunning views, draws tourists in for miles around. I recently visited Quarr Abbey for the first time and was stunned by its beautiful architecture. Seeing some cute piglets didn't hurt either! The more I studied the building, the more I wondered about the history behind the place. This article covers the intriguing role the abbey has played over time. I hope you find it as interesting as I did!
St. Mary's Abbey at Quarr was founded in 1132 by Baldwin de Redvers, 1st Earl of Devon and 4th lord of the Isle of Wight. The original title of the monastery at that time was the ‘Abbey of Our Lady and St John’. The founder was buried in the Abbey in 1155, along with those of a royal princess, Cecily of York, second daughter of King Edward IV and godmother of Henry VIII, their remains lie at the site of the mediaeval monastery.
‘Quarr’ originates from the word quarry, aptly named as the area used to hold a stone quarry. This stone quarry was used in the middle ages, predominantly for military buildings but it is also thought that some of the stone harvested from the quarry was used in the construction of The Tower of London. The original abbey had an infirmary: some of the monks were doctors/pharmacists who tended to islanders. The abbey helped maintain the bridge at Wootton, tide mills and salterns (for salt production). It had an establishment at the entrance to Wootton Creek at Fishhouse (now Fishbourne) from which its ships could sail. The monks were also responsible for many surrounding churches, including for a time Saint Nicholas’ chapel at Carisbrooke Castle. The prevalence of piracy in the area led to the fortification of the area against attack. A stone wall, sea gate and portcullis were constructed. The ruins of these defences are still visible today.
After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, the land was acquired by Southampton merchant, George Mills who demolished most of the abbey. Its stone was used in the nearby town of Cowes and in building Yarmouth Castle.
One of the three abbey bells is preserved in the nearby Anglican parish church, originally built by the monks of Quarr Abbey. Salvaged stone was also used to build Quarr Abbey House. The house existed on the northern part of the site of the present Quarr Abbey. This was built as the residence of Sir Thomas John Cochrane (see image to the right), who is famous for being a young naval commander, later becoming Admiral of the Fleet during the Napoleonic Wars in 1865. He died at Quarr Abbey House and is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery.
As a precaution against the passing of the new anti-clerical laws of 1901, Abbot Paul Delatte (1848–1937) of the Benedictine Solesmes Abbey in France sent a monk to England to look for a house to shelter the community. Attention was drawn to a large house on the Isle of Wight, Appuldurcombe House near Wroxall. The house was viewed, accepted and a lease contract was signed on 19th August 1901. By September 1901, practically the entire community of Solesmes reached Appuldurcombe.
In 1907, the monks bought Quarr Abbey House, next door to the ruins of the ancient Quarr Abbey. Queen Victoria had been a frequent visitor to Quarr Abbey House, and her daughter, Princess Beatrice, had spent her honeymoon there following her marriage to Prince Henry of Battenburg. The first monks arrived at Quarr Abbey House from Appuldurcombe on 25 June 1907 to prepare the grounds and the beginnings of a kitchen garden. They also put up fencing around the property, established a chicken farm and planted an orchard.
One of the monks, Dom Paul Bellot, was an architect. He designed plans for the new abbey, incorporating and extending Quarr Abbey House, some distance from the ruins of the medieval monastery. 300+ workers from the Island, constructed a building whose design and workmanship is still admired by all who visit the Abbey. The building of the refectory and three sides of the cloister began in 1907 and was completed within a year. The rest of the monks came from Appuldurcombe and, in April 1911, work began on the Abbey church which was quickly completed by October 1912. The Guest House was finished in 1914, the first guest being the French philosopher, Jacques Maritain. During the First World War, the Guest House was used for the recovery of wounded soldiers. Princess Beatrice came to visit them as Governor of the Isle of Wight.
In 1922, after World War I, the community of Solesmes returned to France. A small community of monks remained at Quarr with English monks being recruited to the community.
Dom Cuthbert Johnson was elected abbot in 1996. Under his leadership, monastic craft was developed, and the bindery was opened. He did much to open up the monastery to visitors, establishing the tea shop and gardens. He also re-ordered the abbey church and oversaw the development of the new guest wing.
The World Monuments Fund identified Quarr Abbey as one of the 100 most endangered historic sites in the world. In July 2012, the Heritage Lottery fund awarded Quarr a £1.9 million grant. The project includes repair and conservation of the abbey remains and existing abbey church, as well as a visitor information center and education/training placements in construction for local college students.
Piglets and The Tea Room!
I hope you enjoyed reading about its exciting past. The Abbey is a really beautiful place, if you haven't been already, add it to your to do list this summer!
-Megan x
References:
Comments