King Henry V laid the first stone of Syon Abbey on the 22nd of February 1415. This act marked the beginning of a grand political strategy known as The King's Great Work to solidify his dynasty's legitimacy.
How many nuns and monks lived at Syon Abbey under the Bridgettine rule?
The full complement of Syon Abbey consisted of exactly 85 persons divided into two distinct groups. Sixty women lived as nuns under the leadership of an abbess, while twenty-five men served as priests, deacons, and lay brethren.
Where did the expelled community from Syon Abbey settle after leaving England in 1539?
The expelled community exiled itself to the Netherlands before eventually settling in Lisbon, Portugal where they arrived in 1594. They produced an illuminated petition called the Arundel Manuscript which is now housed at Arundel Castle.
Who was the last pre-reformation Abbess of Syon Abbey and when did she die?
Agnes Jordan became the last pre-reformation abbess in 1520 and died on the 29th of January 1546. She received a pension of £200 when the monastery surrendered to the king's commissioners in 1539.
When were the foundations of the Monastery Church at Syon Abbey uncovered by archaeologists?
Foundations of the Monastery Church were partially uncovered starting summer 2003 during Channel 4's Time Team archaeological programme broadcast on the 4th of January 2004. Further excavations by Birkbeck University continued from 2004 to 2011 confirming portions remained intact under Syon House.