Soham Abbey

Soham Abbeywas anAnglo-Saxonmonastery inSoham,which at the time was in theKingdom of East Anglia.Constructed by StFelix of Burgundyduring the early part of the 7th century, it was the first Roman Christian site to be established inCambridgeshire.

History

Soham Abbey was founded around 630 byFelix of Burgundy,the first bishop of East Anglia. After his death in 647, his remains were moved from his episcopal see atDommocto the chancel of the minster church at Soham to preserve them from desecration by Danish raiders.

TheDanesattacked East Anglia in 869. The abbey was destroyed the following year and was never rebuilt.Æthelric (bishop of Dorchester)later removed Felix's remains toRamsey Abbey.

In 1189,Richard Igave the parish church to the Cistercian Abbey of Le Pin (Vienne), whose abbot was his almoner. In 1285 Le Pin rented the Soham estate including the patronage of the vicarage, to its fellow-CistercianAbbey of Rewley.

Abbey church

It is believed that the church was of a squat, low design with a long north transept, and four or five bays long with a round tower standing nearby. St. Felix was originallyburiedhere.

Soham's current church (dedicated toSt Andrewnot to Felix) is believed to have been built on the same site as the abbey, although the structure dates fromNormantimes: the earliest part is thecrossing(which cannot be seen from the outside) dating from the twelfth century.

Description

This evidence is taken from a later woodcut that shows the abbey surrounded by monastic buildings and with a wall and moat around the complex. The moat can be traced today in a circle starting at the new vicarage and following Station Road, Gardiners Lane, Clay Street, Brook Dam Lane and Paddock Street, then back to the vicarage.