The Story of Pershore, The Abbey and the Park

The Story of Pershore, The Abbey and the Park. No. 2 The Benedictines Rule. 1) St Benedict founded the Benedictine order of monks. His most famous monastery is at Monte Cassino in Italy. Benedict said monks should have no personal belongings and should divide the day into three parts., 2) The first part was devoted to the worship of God. There were eight services each day. They lasted in all about five hours and began at 2am., 3) The second part was for study or writing and illuminating or decorating manuscripts., 4) The third part was spent working in the fields or gardens..., 5) ...or catching fish in the fishpond., 6) Following Edward's gift of land at Pershore to Westminster Abbey, St Andrew's was built to serve the tenants of the Abbot of Westminster., 7) The abbots were responsible for the weekly markets and both held court in Pershore., 8) 1534 - Henry VIII declared the Act of Supremacy. By this he made himself head of the Church in England instead of the Pope., 9) 21 Jan 1540 - The commissioners arrived at Pershore. After nearly 900 years the days of the monastery were over., 10) Many of the buildings were demolished. Sir John Russell bought most of the stone., 11) The local population raised £400 and bought the monks' choir to use as the parish church. It became known as Holy Cross.