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MALMESBURY ABBEY. 1 

 By Hakold Beakspeae, F.S.A. 



The once rich and mitred abbey of Malmesbury has provided a 

 subject for many writers, and the remains of its church a model 

 for artists and draughtsmen, but no one seems to have combined 

 description and drawing to explain the history of this building. 

 The writer, having been engaged professionally for many years 

 upon the repairs of the church, has had exceptional opportunities 

 for the study of the structure, and although much of necessity has 

 been said before, some little fresh matter has been brought to 

 light. 



History of the Monastery, 



Malmesbury stands on a steep hill surrounded by the waters of 

 Avon and ISTewnton brook, save for a narrow neck to the north-west. 

 In ancient days it must have been wellnigh impregnable, for the 

 low-lying ground on all sides would have been impassable swamp. 

 This natural stronghold was doubtless from the earliest time oc- 

 cupied for human habitation, though no direct evidence of such 

 occupation has been found. In Roman days it seems to have been 

 neglected, though the great north road from Bath passed within 

 two miles of it, and there was a small station at Brockenburgh 

 and a villa at Easton Grey. 



About the year 640 an Irish teacher named Maeldubh settled 

 here and founded a school and small church. He gained great 

 repute, and Ina, king of Wessex, sent his nephew Aldhelm to study 

 under him. Aldhelm became head of the school in 676, and from 

 his time the importance of Malmesbury began. 



Aldhelm converted the school into an Abbey under regular rule. 

 He enlarged the old church of Maeldubh and hallowed it in honour 



1 Reprinted from Archoeologia, lxiv., 399, by permission of the Society 

 of Antiquaries, by whom the blocks illustrating the paper are lent. The 

 author has made certain additions to the paper which did not appear in 

 ArchcBologia. 



