Benedictine house founded by Saint Edwin, c.701,in Worcestershire, England, and dedicated to Our Lady. Secular canons were installed, 941; the monks were restored by Saint Dunstan and Saint Ethelwold, 960. Exemption from episcopal jurisdiction was confirmed by Rome, 1260, and the abbey became one of the largest in England; it had two dependent cells in England and one in Denmark. Surrendered to Henry VIII, 1539, its demolition began, and only a few isolated fragments remain, including the great bell tower built by Abbot Clement Lichfield, c1533
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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