Axminster is at the crossing of two ancient roads, adopted by Romans as the Fosse
Way to Aquae Sulis (the modern Bath in Somerset ) and Isca Dumnoniorum (Exeter) now
the County Town of Devonshire.
Records show Saxon Christianity rooted here in the eighth century (786 AD) focused
on a "Minster"- a monastic community. It is uncertain where the original Church was
located - there are however stories of Saxon Princes, squabbles, battles and burials,
and on this site an ancient burial uncovered in the nineteenth century revealed a
person of substance and high standing. Athelstan, Alfred's grandson, who reigned
over the house of Wessex 924-939 founded a college of priests here. With the coming
of the Normans in 1066, the eleventh and twelfth centuries brought an infusion of
fresh ideas, new ways, and adventurous architecture, the old structures were overlaid.
The Saxon Church however had held fast to the Christian faith in difficult and often
brutal times, nurturing sound learning, music, defending justice and mercy, sending
missionaries to Europe notably Winfrith (S Boniface) of Crediton.
The Norman de Mohun Family held huge tracts of land in the West Country. Newenham
Abbey, built with resources provided by Reginald de Mohun in 1246, was one of many
Cistercian monasteries dominating the area. Founded at Citeaux in France, Cistercians
became the most successful of mediaeval monastic movements. Using the rule of Benedict
and reformed by Bernard, they lived simply and had plain and unadorned churches.
A new Church was built here near the castle (more a fortified house) through the
patronage of the de Mohun family - this Church stands close to what is still known
as "Castle Street" and "Castle Hill". Alicia de Mohun was influential in its building.
Her effigy graces the South wall of the Sanctuary; her hands holding the seal of
the Abbey. Her Chaplain, Gervase de Prestaller, is to be found on the north side
of the Sanctuary.
Newenham Abbey stood for three hundred years until the dissolution of the monasteries;
for some of that time Abbot and Bishop of Exeter disagreed about the appointment
of the Priest at this Church ... possibly this was something to do with different
styles of leadership and spirituality and the independence cherished by Benedictine
orders.
At the Reformation there were wide changes. The closing of Newenham Abbey in the
16th Century brought to an end to the Abbacy of John Cabell (1525-1530). He and the
monks were well treated and given an adequate pension; monastic buildings were dismantled,
wood, stone and material recycled. Property owned by the Abbey passed into other
hands. There are a few traces around town; the north parapet on the Minster Church;
some original gargoyles; the doorway in the south east corner; the Archway Bookshop
entrance in Church street; and remains of fish farms are still to be found near Holy
Cross Church. A few stones on the site of the Abbey still form part of farm buildings
near the Axminster bypass.
