The Abbey Gate

The Abbey Gate. . The Abbey of St Edmund was one of the largest and most powerful abbeys in the country. This imposing yet beautiful gateway was the impressive main entrance to the abbey's Great Court., All kinds of people came through this gate to access the more public, outer part of the abbey, including abbey servants, tradespeople and pilgrims., Constructed between 1328 and 1346, it is a masterpiece of the Decorated Gothic style, characterised by elaborate decoration and sculpture. Rioters badly damaged the original gate in 1327 and this extravagant replacement would have reminded the townspeople of the abbey's wealth and power. The abbey controlled many aspects of the town's life, and its relations with the townspeople were often tense. Sometimes this pushed the people of Bury to riot, and so the gates had an important role in defending the abbey., Above: With the sky visible through the top window the Abbey Gate was roofless in this painting by Thomas Girtin from 1793., The abbey has seen a number of uprisings at its gates. In 1190, there were anti-Semitic riots across England. Abbot Samson refused to let the Jewish population take refuge in the abbey, and many were killed. In 1327. 300 townspeople stormed the abbey and stole its valuables and livestock -- including 10.000 sheep. A further rebellion broke out in 1381 and the abbey's prior was murdered.