Croxden Abbey

Croxden Abbey stands in a quiet valley near Croxden in Staffordshire. Founded in the 12th century by Bertram III de Verdun, it was a Cistercian monastery built by twelve monks from Normandy. The monks first settled near Alton before moving a few miles south to Croxden. Bertram granted lands across four counties and two chapels to support the growing abbey. By the early 13th century the community had grown wealthy from sheep farming and trade with Florentine merchants. The abbey’s London house, bought for £20, showed its rising status before decline set in. The abbey’s fortunes faded in the 14th century under heavy taxes, loans and poor harvests. A quarrel with Thomas de Furnivall led the monks to barricade themselves for sixteen weeks in 1319. Despite paying a £100 fine to keep operating, the house was dissolved in 1538. The last abbot received a pension of £26 13s 4d. After dissolution the 13th-century chapel served as the parish church until 1886. In 1936 the ruins passed to state care and are now managed by English Heritage. Visitors today see substantial stone ruins of the church and conventual buildings. The west wall with its two doorways and lancet windows remains almost complete. Foundations uncovered in 1968 mark where the sacristy, chapterhouse, kitchen and dormitory once stood. Above these floors once housed the dormitory and treasury, now lost. The site lies in open countryside, peaceful and little changed since the monks left.