Spinney Abbey

Spinney Abbey, originally established as Spinney Priory, is a historic site located near Wicken in Cambridgeshire, England, situated on the edge of the fens. Its origins trace back to between 1216 and 1228, when Beatrice, granddaughter of Wimar, Steward of the Count of Brittany, founded the Priory of St Mary and the Holy Cross. This foundation initially housed three canons of the Augustinian order and was endowed with land and fishing rights, marking an early connection to the area now known as Wicken Fen.

Monastic Life and Transformation

The priory saw expansion in 1301 with additional land granted by Mary de Bassingbourne, though this came with the difficult obligation of feeding 3000 poor people annually. The priory's history was marked by a violent event in 1403 when Prior William de Lode was murdered by three of his own canons within the priory church, an incident that has fueled local ghost stories. Over the centuries, Spinney Priory faced declines, particularly with the Black Death and subsequent social changes. In 1449, it was absorbed into the cathedral priory of Ely, transitioning from Augustinian to Benedictine governance. The priory continued until 1536 when it was dissolved under Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Post-Dissolution and Modern Era

Following its dissolution, Spinney Abbey became private property. It was owned by various individuals, including Sir Edward Peyton. As a child, the theologian and mathematician Isaac Barrow lived at Spinney Priory for two years around 1634. Perhaps its most notable resident was Henry Cromwell, son of Oliver Cromwell, who lived there from 1659 until his death in 1673, reportedly receiving a visit from King Charles II. The current house was constructed in 1775, incorporating older elements of the priory, such as its cellar. The farm has historically faced challenges with flooding. The Fuller family has been farming in the adjacent area since at least 1695, with Thomas Fuller bringing his family to farm at Spinney Abbey in 1892. The freehold has remained with the family since 1918, and it continues today as a working farm raising traditional breeds and producing award-winning cider, notably 'Monk & Disorderly'.