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..Lesnes Abbey |
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This webpage provides information on Lesnes Abbey, in Erith, Kent.
It is therefore not surprising that many commentators of the day, recorded the foundation of his Abbey at Lesnes on 11th June 1178, including Matthew de Westminster, Roger de Wendover, Roger de Hoveden and Ralph de Coggeshall. The Abbey was dedicated to Thomas á Becket, who had been murdered only eight years previously and despite Lucy having been excommunicated by him. When the land at Lesnes came into the hands of Richard de Lucy during the reign of King Stephen, it was not his intention to build an Abbey of his own and at this time he bestowed the advowson of the existing Church on King Stephen's Priory of the Holy Trinity at Aldgate; a gift subsequently confirmed by his eldest son Geoffrey de Lucy (c1132-c1171).
Walter, Bishop of Rochester appointed the first Abbott, William in 1179 when building had hardly commenced on the almost flat plateau of land between the marshes on the south side of the Thames estuary and steep higher ground behind, on the main road between Canterbury and London.
At a later date, the founder's tomb was probably moved to the presbytery or choir, where Weaver discovered and opened it in 1630. Aveline, Richard de Lucy's daughter was also buried in the Chapter house. Today the building is in ruins. The demolition and clearance of the site for building stone was efficiently carried out after its dissolution on 1st April 1525. Only contemporary or slightly earlier Abbeys such as Romsey Abbey near Winchester or Buildwas Abbey can give an indication of its original scale. When Rev. William Stukeley investigated the ruins on 12th April 1753 he unfortunately mistook the Frater or Refectory for the church building and although his original drawings in the British Museum do not precisely match those later engraved and published, or the walls as seen today, his information is useful in establishing the condition of the site before Alfred W. Clapham undertook his extensive excavations over 1909-1913.
The building was constructed in a transitional architectural style (between Norman and Early English), with the early introduction of carved foliage and curved mouldings. The roof would have been highly pitched and some 'dog-tooth' moulding has been discovered in the debris of vaulted roof rib voussiors. A consistent column base was used throughout the church with a 'stiff leaf' design at the corners; unusual in England and only found at Dunstable Priory and St.Cross Hospital, Winchester and both constructed around this date. The consistency of the remaining column carving illustrating the speed and integrity with which the building was laid out. Richard de Lucy must have seen and authorised this design.
When Clapham photographed the building during his excavations, the remains of putlock holes and apertures for the corbel table cornice at parapet level along the north aisle wall of the church could still be seen. While putlock holes are still evident, considerable damage has been done to the structure in the intervening years, after it was reburied and re-excavated; particularly to the best remaining ashlar stonework on the south-west pier to the church tower. This was in considerably better condition when originally exposed, only 90 years ago.
When Sir Alfred Clapham excavated the Lady Chapel in 1909, a stone sepulchral effigy of a Knight in mixed mail
and armour plate was found abandoned face down, most probably representing Geoffrey de Lucy (21 January 1287/88-1346).
Red and blue colouration can still clearly be seen on the full size effigy, with three lucies and crosslets identifiable
on the shield on a red field. Originally photographed by Clapham and illustrated above, it is now displayed at
the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Read about the life history of Richard de Lucy - the Justiciar Learn more about the origins of deLucy family in the 12th Century Further information on the genealogy of the ancient de
Lucy family
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When
you consider the instability of the period; particularly the Anarchy of King Stephen's reign, it is surprising
that Richard de Lucy (c1110-1179) achieved and maintained the most senior of administrative positions during the
reigns of Henry I, Stephen and Henry II, finally reaching the position of Chief Justiciar, the highest position
held by a subject and second only to the King.
