| Summary : Augustinian priory founded in 1129 by Robery D'Oilly the younger son of the first Norman Lord of Oxford. It was granted abbey status in 1154, and extensively rebuilt and enlarged by Abbot Leech in 1247. The abbey was dissolved in 1539, though the buildings were left intact. In 1542 it was converted, without alteration, into a cathedral church and the former abbot, Richard King, became the first Bishop of Oxford. However, the running of Osney as a cathedral proved too costly for Henry VIII and in 1546 the Bishop moved to the present, smaller and cheaper cathedral. The buildings were despoiled for the sake of the new foundation (Christ Church) and fell rapidly into decay. Much of the stone found its way into local buildings, including St Frideswide's, and during the Civil War it was used to fortify the city. Following the lease of the site to a clothier, iron, glass and woodwork were removed and most of the old buildings were demolished. An explosion in a powder house in 1643 caused further damage and a few years later the remaining west tower was pulled down. All that can bee seen today is a small 15th century timber-framed building in the Botley Road. In Excavations, and the evidence form early maps, plans and views of buildings in the vicinity of the Abbey have allowed a reinterpretation of the Abbey complex. It appears that the church had a claustral complex to the South, but the normal range of domestic buildings usually adjoining the cloister were not present. Instead, to the North-West was a large courtyard, along the South side of which were the kitchens and refectory. South-West of the church, near the river and mill were minor courts and the infirmary. South of the church lay the monk's cemetery and abbot's courts. |
More information : Osney Abbey [O.E.] (Remains of) (1)
Oseney Abbey stood 300-400 yds. SW of St. Thomas' church and the remains form part of the outbuildings of Oseney Hall. The Augustinian Priory of St. Mary Oseney was founded by Robert d'Oilly the younger in 1129; it was raised to the status of an abbey about 1154. The abbey was dissolved in 1539 and the church became, until 1546, the cathedral of the new diocese of Oxford. After this date the church and other buildings were gradually demolished. The small surviving building... seems to date from the 15th century. (2)
"Its outlying buildings extended Eastwards under the railway." (3)
[SP 50400588(2)] Augustinian Priory, Oseney. Founded 1129, became Abbey in 1154. Dissolved A.D. 1539. This monastery was one for twenty-six canons, and after it was made an abbey it became one of the most important houses in Britain,with fifty canons in the 13th C., reduced to twenty-seven in 1377, after the Black Death...... The monastic church became a Secular Cathedral in 1542. (4-7)
Post Roman cremation urn found Osney (1) An urn of dark brown ware; handmade, with protuberant bosses and incised decoration, (imperfect, diam. 6 1/2") found on site of Osney Abbey and now in Ashmolean Musuem. (8-9)
Visited 1.7.54. Nothing to add to T.2. (10) |