Bermondsey Abbey
Bermondsey Abbey was an 11th century foundation, and was centred on what is now Bermondsey Square, the site of Bermondsey Market in Bermondsey in the London Borough of Southwark.
Foundation
Bermondsey Abbey was founded in 1082 by a community of Cluniac monks and took seven years to build. The Annales monasterii de Bermundeseia (A.D. 1042-1291) records that Peter, Richard, Osbert and Umbald, monks of La Charite de Dieu came to Bermondsey at the invitation of Lanfranc. Peter was made the first prior.
Land and estates
The abbey was given land in Dulwich and elsewhere by Henry I in 1127, and owned the Manor of Dulwich until 1538.
Archaeology
The site at Bermondsey Square is currently being redeveloped with the construction of buildings. This has given PCA an opportunity to undertake a number of excavations on the site along Abbey Street, most recently in early 2006. Another part of the site will be excavated soon along Tower Bridge Road.
Pictures
Bermondsey Abbey archeological dig - viewed from Tower Bridge Road, 05 March 2006
Bermondsey Abbey archeological dig - viewed from Tower Bridge Road, 05 March 2006
