Burnham Abbey

Overview

Burnham Abbey was an Augustinian canonesses regular monastery situated near Burnham in Buckinghamshire, England. Its foundation in 1266 was established by Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall, who was also styled King of the Romans. The abbey initially comprised about twenty nuns, but it never achieved significant wealth, and by the time of its dissolution in 1539, its community had dwindled to ten nuns, along with two priests. The surrender document for Burnham Abbey is dated September 19, 1539, and was signed by Abbess Alice Baldwin and the remaining nine nuns.

Following its dissolution, the abbey's site passed through several private hands. In 1544, it was granted to William Tyldesley, and later Queen Elizabeth I leased the property to Paul Wentworth. The original church was demolished around 1570, and a house was subsequently constructed using much of the remaining monastic buildings. By the 18th century, the site functioned as a farm, with some structures, such as the refectory, in poor repair.

In 1913, architect and surveyor James Lawrence Bissley purchased the property and undertook restoration, converting the former chapter house into a chapel. In 1916, he sold Burnham Abbey to the Society of the Precious Blood, an Anglican contemplative community. This community, which retains the name Burnham Abbey, has occupied and continued to restore and extend the buildings for their own use. The Abbey itself is recognized as a Grade I listed building, with associated walls and structures designated Grade II. Key surviving elements of the medieval nunnery include the chapter house, sacristy, and portions of the frater and infirmary.