Leicester Abbey
Low walls laid out on the general plan of Leicester Abbey, which was established during excavations in the 1920s and 1930s.
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 Location within Leicestershire
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| Monastery information | |
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| Full name | The Abbey of St Mary de Pratis, Leicester |
| Order | Augustinian Canons |
| Established | 1143 |
| Disestablished | 1538 |
| Dedicated to | The Assumption of the Virgin Mary; and St Mary de Pratis: St. Mary of the Meadows |
| Diocese | Diocese of Lincoln |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Robert le Bossu, Earl of Leicester |
| Important associated figures |
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| Site | |
| Location | Leicester |
| Coordinates | 52°38′56″N 1°08′13″W / 52.648948°N 1.13687°WCoordinates: 52°38′56″N 1°08′13″W / 52.648948°N 1.13687°W |
| Grid reference | SK5849206040 |
| Visible remains |
Low walls indicating the plan of the abbey and the ruins of Cavendish House. |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Official name | Abbey Ruins; Cavendish House; Abbot Penny's Wall |
| Designated | 5 January 1950 |
| Reference no. |
1074051; 1074052; 1361406 |
| Official name | Leicester abbey and 17th century mansion and ornamental gardens |
| Designated | 18 July 1995 |
| Reference no. | 1012149 |
Low walls indicating the plan of the abbey and the ruins of Cavendish House.
The Abbey of Saint Mary de Pratis, more commonly known as Leicester Abbey, was an Augustinian religious house in the city of Leicester, in the English Midlands. The abbey was founded in the 12th century by the Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester, and grew to become the wealthiest religious establishment within Leicestershire. Through patronage and donations the abbey gained the advowsons of countless churches throughout England, and acquired a considerable amount of land, and several manorial lordships. Leicester Abbey also maintained a cell (a small dependent daughter house) at Cockerham Priory, in Lancashire. The Abbey's prosperity was boosted though the passage of special privileges by both the English Kings and the Pope. These included an exemption from sending representatives to parliament and from paying tithe on certain land and livestock. Despite its privileges and sizeable landed estates, from the late 14th century the abbey began to suffer financially and was forced to lease out its estates. The worsening financial situation was exacerbated throughout the 15th century and early 16th century by a series of incompetent, corrupt and extravagant abbots. By 1535 the abbey's considerable income was exceeded by even more considerable debts.
The abbey provided a home to an average of 30 to 40 canons, sometimes known as Black Canons, because of their dress (a white habit and black cloak). One of these canons, Henry Knighton, is notable for his Chronicle, which was written during his time at the abbey in the 14th century. In 1530 Cardinal Thomas Wolsey died at the abbey, whilst travelling south to face trial for treason. A few years later, in 1538, the abbey was dissolved, and was quickly demolished, with the building materials reused in various structures across Leicester, including a mansion which was built on the site. The house passed through several aristocratic families, and became known as Cavendish House after it was acquired by the 1st Earl of Devonshire, in 1613. The house was eventually looted and destroyed by fire in 1645, following the capture of Leicester during the English Civil War.
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Wikipedia