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 Images
 Other Information
- The abbey was founded by Henry the First as his burial place, and with the help of money and lands he bequeathed it became one of the richest in medieval England.
- Henry was buried in front of the altar in 1135 whilst the church was still unfinished.
- The abbey at its zenith contained over 230 relics including the hand of St James and a library with 228 volumes.
- The church was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Beckett, in 1165. Another famous visitor was William of Malmesbury.
- The church was built in Romanesque style in a similar manner to that of Southwell Minster, spires aside. It was 130 metres long.
- The monastery hit hard times when Henry the 8th hanged the Abbot for treason and had it looted. It then fell into ruin.
- Parts of Reading Abbey survive today including the school, founded in 1135, St Lawrence's Church (rebuilt from a ruin in 1550, the old foundations can be seen) and the gateway. The majority of the actual church structure is now built over and the largest part of the ruin is the chapter house.
 Companies
If your company has been involved with the Design/Build, Supply or Maintenance of this building please submit your details.  Reference Data
- Reference No.
- 4826
- First Uploaded
- 19-02-2006
- Last Editorial Date
- 23-11-2011
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- Address
- The Forbury, Reading. RG1
- Council
- Reading Borough Council
- County
- Berkshire
- Region
- South East
- Country
- United Kingdom
View in Google Maps - Status
- Ruined
- Proposal date
- 1121
- Construction start date
- 1122
- Completion date
- 1135
- Demolition Date
- 1538
- Heritage Status
- Grade I
- Style
- Romanesque
- Roof Height (AGL)
- 35.00 *
 Market Data
- Primary Use
- Place of Worship
- Secondary Use
- Monuments
Metres > Feet * Estimated Height |
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