Muchelney Abbey lies hidden away deep in the heart of the Somerset Levels

"The place is not easy to access; one can normally get there in summertime on foot or by horse, but in winter never." 

Monk and historian William of Malmesbury (c1090-1142)

A stone fragment showing a monk carrying loaves of bread in his left arm and a costrel on his right arm - a container used for holding ale. 

The head of a lady - most of the statuary found is incomplete, probably damaged during The Reformation.

The King of Wessex, first established a monastic community at Muchelney in the late seventh century, however, the minster was destroyed during the ninth century by Danes. In 939 the monastery was refounded by King Athelstan and soon adopted Benedictine observance. Starting around 112o the entire monastery was rebuilt on a grand scale with a magnificent church, as well as a cloister, chapter house, dormitory, latrine, refectory and lodging for the abbot. There was also an infirmary, an almonry and agricultural buildings.

The two-storey thatched roof Reredorter (latrine) is a rare survival. The latrines are on the upper floor which was originally adjacent to the Monk's dormitory from where it could be entered. At ground level there are several small arches giving access to the inside drains from the outside for cleaning.

This is the South Cloister Walk - the windows are now partially blocked but fragments of the elaborate stone window tracery, once filled with stained glass, can still be seen. 

Stone stairway to the upper floor.

Although running short of time we are keen to visit the local parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul which is just visible through the right-hand side of this window. 

The church has a wooden, arched, and ribbed ceiling painted during the early part of the c17th. In the centre there are ten angels all wearing Jacobean style dresses along with cherubs painted around the four borders. The painting has a colourful, cartoonish character which creates a dramatic scene viewed from below. Each angel looks out from a frame of thick creamy swirling clouds, a central sun along with stars set in a blue sky all create a celestial backdrop.  

The Angels all hold message banners - 

"All nations of the world" "Praise the Lord" 

"We praise thee oh God"

Some of the angels have immodest necklines, which, it has been suggested, symbolise innocence and purity. However, it is impossible for us today to really know the exact nature or thoughts of those Jacobean patrons and painters.

"From the rising of the sun"

"To the setting of the same" 

We arrived safely at our destination with just sufficient time to refresh before the evening meal.