RUINS OF ABBEY CHURCH OF ST EDMUND

RUINS OF ABBEY CHURCH OF ST EDMUND, ABBEY PRECINCTS

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Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1375540
Date first listed:: 06-Aug-1952
List Entry Name:: RUINS OF ABBEY CHURCH OF ST EDMUND
Statutory Address:: RUINS OF ABBEY CHURCH OF ST EDMUND, ABBEY PRECINCTS

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Date:: 2004-07-23
Reference:: IOE01/12829/01
Rights:: © Mr Richard Storey. Source: Historic England Archive

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: I
List Entry Number:: 1375540
Date first listed:: 06-Aug-1952
Date of most recent amendment:: 30-Oct-1997
List Entry Name:: RUINS OF ABBEY CHURCH OF ST EDMUND
Statutory Address 1:: RUINS OF ABBEY CHURCH OF ST EDMUND, ABBEY PRECINCTS

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: RUINS OF ABBEY CHURCH OF ST EDMUND, ABBEY PRECINCTS

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Suffolk
District:: West Suffolk (District Authority)
Parish:: Bury St. Edmunds
National Grid Reference:: TL8575364100

Details

TL8564SE 639-1/8/94 07/08/52

BURY ST EDMUNDS ABBEY PRECINCTS Ruins of Abbey Church of St Edmund (Formerly Listed as: ABBEY PRECINCTS Abbey Ruins)

GV I

Ruins of the Abbey Church of St Edmund, excluding the West Front (qv), which is included separately. C11 and C12. In flint rubble, with the remains of stone dressings. EXTERIOR: the church was 505 feet long. The nave, extended into 12 bays under Abbot Anselm (1121-1148), was arcaded on both sides: little now remains but the rubble bases of several of the columns. More complete are the 2 large transepts which had eastern aisles and 2 apsidal chapels on each side, one on the north replaced by a Lady Chapel in 1275. Parts of the high crossing arches supporting the central tower are today the tallest parts of the ruins. The crossing tower, begun just after 1100, was completed by Abbot Anselm, but damaged later and rebuilt in stages from 1361. Beyond the site of the High Altar the ground drops sharply: the 5-bay chancel is missing but the crypt below it, which is the oldest surviving part of the Abbey, built under Abbot Baldwin soon after 1066, is clearly laid out: the outer walls rise above the level of the former window sills and the bases of most of the columns along the line of the ambulatory remain. The form is apsidal, with 3 chapels at the east end, the 2 to each side of the apse semicircular. The plan of the chancel itself was similar, with an ambulatory and 3 radiating chapels at the east end. Scheduled Ancient Monument. (BOE: Pevsner N: Radcliffe E: Suffolk: London: 1974-: 139).

Listing NGR: TL8575364100

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 466441
Legacy System:: LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Suffolk, (1974), 139

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.