Wigmore Abbey

Wigmore Abbey was an Augustinian abbey with a grange, situated about a mile (2 km) north of the village of Wigmore, in the county of Herefordshire, England. Only ruins of the abbey now remain.

Foundation

The abbey was founded by Ranulph de Mortimer and his son, Hugh de Mortimer in 1179 in the parish of Leintwardine. The construction of the abbey was also assisted by other local landowners including Brian de Brampton, who contributed building materials from his woods and quarries. At the time it was the largest monastery in the county, followed by Abbey Dore and Leominster Priory.

Mortimer's. Earls of March

The abbey church, like the church at Wigmore, was dedicated to St. James. As they were the principal patrons of the abbey, many members of the Mortimer family were buried there, among them five Earls of March.

The Dissolution

The abbey continued to flourish until the period of the dissolution of the monasteries in 1530, when it was destroyed. The remains of the building were given to Sir T. Palmer.

Recent History

The Brierley family owned all the buildings, fields and wood before they sold it all to somebody who then sold the house to John Challis and the fields and remaining buildings were bought by farmers.

As of 2002, the abbey was the property of actor John Challis (best known as Boycie from Only Fools and Horses), who lived in the abbot’s lodging, the only building to survive. The program "The Green Green Grass" starring John Challis is filmed at Wigmore Abbey along with other locations in the area.

"Wigmore Abbey Parish" is a parish with nine village churches in northwest Herefordshire.

Wigmore Abbey is thought to be the place of origin of a manuscript outlining its own history and founding, as well as the lineage of Roger Mortimer, whose father Edmund petitioned Parliament (successfully) to be named heir to the throne in 1374. His claim was ignored by King Henry IV's succession. The Chronicle of Wigmore Abbey is now housed at the University of Chicago.