A large audience gathered for tonight’s (30th April 2012) to hear Dr Margaret Yates talk about Reading Abbey. Dr Yates noted that there is no mention of an Abbey in the Domesday book but Thatcham church is mentioned.
The foundation of Reading Abbey was in 1121 by King Henry I and it is known that monks arrived there in the same year. In 1125 there was a foundation charter which stated what lands the Abbey would include. Included was Thatcham Manor, Wargrave Church and Cholsey Manor. Thatcham Church was not included though and remained with Salisbury. The Archbishop Thomas Becket dedicated the Abbey in 1164.
On the site was also a school and it is believed there was also a leper house. The size of the site was emphasised with both maps and a reconstruction and it would easily enclose Thatcham centre within its walls. There were problems though. For example in the 13th Century the Abbey and local Guild were at odds over whether Reading should have a warden or a Mayor. By the 17th Century the abbey was in ruins, and an accident during the Civil War saw to it that much of what remained was also destroyed.
Dr Yates note additional information about the Abbey could be found on its website at www.readingabbey.org.uk. A vote of thanks was given by committee member Ray Hopgood.