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Downside’s downfall: the dissolution of a monastery

The dissolution of a monastery

5 September 2020

9:00 AM

5 September 2020

9:00 AM

The monks of Downside Abbey in Somerset elected a new abbot last Thursday, according to sixth–century rules laid down by St Benedict. The next day, they sent an email notification saying they had voted ‘to make a new start and to seek a new place to live’. It was a shock to those who know the place.

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