Leominster Abbey

Leominster Abbey stands in the Herefordshire town of Leominster, once home to an Anglo-Saxon minster. The original monastery was founded perhaps in the seventh century and later rebuilt as a Benedictine nunnery after Viking raids. In 1046 Abbess Eadgifu was abducted by Sweyn Godwinson, an event recorded in local history. The priory church that survives today was built in the 12th century by Reading Abbey. Archaeologists have found traces of Saxon activity beneath its walls, suggesting earlier use of the site. Medieval prayer books known as the Galba Prayer Books were used here in the early 11th century, mostly copied by a female scribe working in Old English and Latin. Medieval scholar Katie Ann-Marie Bugyis calls this scribe one of the most prolific contributors to the compilation. The books may have begun as the scribe’s personal volume before becoming a shared teaching tool for the nuns. Edith of Wilton is cited as a parallel example of a nun who created similar works for her own use.