Netley Abbey

Netley Abbey. on the eastern shore of Southampton Water, can date its foundation to St James Day, 25th July1239. It was the brainchild of the Bishop of Winchester, Peter des Roches, who had already established Titchfield Abbey, and towards the end of his life he completed the land assembly and started construction. After he died in 1238 the project continued but without the personal driving force of Peter des Roches it began its life under endowed.  Monks from the established Cistercian house of Beaulieu colonised the new monastery.

Some years later Henry III was encouraged to take an interest in the project and the royal patronage gave the abbey, literally, a firm foundation. In 1251 he was recognised as patron and co-founder of the abbey and at his insistence the abbey was jointly dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary (as were all Cistercian houses) and Edward the Confessor, who was Henry's own role model. Building work may have started seriously at this time. There remains a foundation stone on the plinth of one of the crossing piers inscribed H. DI. GRA. REX ANGL. (Henry, by the grace of God, King of the English)       Henry donated roofing materials in 1251 and 1252 so it is possible that the church and cloister became usable shortly after this date. Building work continued for some decades after this and was probably not complete until 1290 when Edward I was on the throne.

Inscription at the base of a pillar

The king completed the preparatory work of Peter des Roches by making substantial land and property grants. On March 7th 1251 he confirmed to the Abbey the site of the monastery itself, with the manors of Netley, Hound, Wellow, Totton, Gomshall, Nordley, Kingston Deverell, Waldon, Aynley and Lacton, and rents in Southampton, Charelton and Southwark, the church at Shere manor in Surrey and 100 acres. Two weeks later he granted market rights at Hound and free warren on the previously granted lands.  There were additional benefactions, not least of which was a tun of wine yearly from Southampton. The income of the abbey in 1291 was a substantial £81 6s.

In the reign of Edward III the monastery got into financial difficulties. The causes are not clear but in 1328 the abbey had to seek protection against creditors and sell a good part of its property. In 1338 the abbot again petitioned the king for relief. As a consequence they were permitted to rent some of their lands and fisheries at Totton and Testwood.

Remains of the Abbot's House

Apart from their financial difficulties the house seems to have been free of any other controversy. The monks lived free of scandal and the house was much used and respected by sailors.

The plan below depicts a conventional Cistercian arrangement of buildings.

When the time came for the general dissolution of monasteries Netley Abbey, as a small house, was vulnerable to the first wave of takeovers the commissioners of 1536 made this report:

A hedde house of Monkes of thorder of Cisteaux, being of large building and situate on the Ryvage of the Sees. To the Kinge's Subjects and Strangers travelling the same Sees great Relief and Comforte.

At this time there were 7 monks and 32 other inmate, two of whom were Franciscan friars and the rest servants and officials. The total revenue was £181 2s. 8d. and the buildings were in good repair. Debts amounted to £42 3s. 4d but £28 5s. was owing to the house. Taken with various liquid assets the monastery ended its life more or less solvent.

A few months later the buildings and the surrounding manors were granted to Sir William Paulet. the properties in Surrey and Wiltshire and further afield in Hampshire were granted to others.

Aerial view of the ruins