OS grid reference TR313644 Country England Post town RAMSGATE Shire county Kent Civil parish Minster-in-Thanet | Region South East Sovereign state United Kingdom Postcode district CT12 District Thanet | |
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St Mildred's Priory (also known as Minster Abbey) is on the site of the 7th century abbey. Some of the earliest remains can still be seen in the grounds. The Priory is the home of a Benedictine community of women.
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History
Minster Abbey was probably founded in about 670 AD by Sexburga, widow of the King Eorcenberht of Kent, with 77 disciples. She is said to have been succeeded by her daughter Eormenhild. Mildred became abbess in about 700 and was succeeded by Edburga, daughter of King Centwine of the West Saxons. At the end of the eighth century the abbess was Selethryth, sister of King Offa of Mercia, and she was remembered for recovering estates of the abbey which had been seized by Archbishop Wulfred of Canterbury. She was succeeded by Abbess Cwoenthryth.
According to late traditions the abbey was sacked by the Vikings in about 855, but at the end of the ninth century Asser wrote in the present tense that "an excellent minster is established on the island". The boundary of the community is mentioned in Charter S 535 of 948.
At the Reformation the abbeys were dissolved and Minster Abbey became Crown property. It became a private house until in 1937 it was bought by Benedictine nuns from St Walburga's Abbey in Eichstatt, Bavaria as a refuge from persecution and became a dependent Priory.
In 1953 a small relic of St Mildred was returned to Minster from Deventer in the Netherlands.
Holy Days
Visiting
Most of the grounds of the abbey are closed to the public although it is possible to view the outside of the Saxon and Norman wings on a guided tours The abbey's chapel is accessible for private prayer. The parish church, St Mary the Virgin, is worth a visit. There is a train station (Minster railway station) about 350 meters from the abbey.