A Church on a Huge Scale

A Church on a Huge Scale. Abbey Quarter. This is the south transept of the abbey church. It feels large but it's just a small part of the overall area of the church., Monks in business , Running an abbey as big as Reading was expensive and monks could not afford to ignore business matters. Income came from many sources. The abbey owned farms and other properties which were rented out for a fee paid in cash or produce. Traders bringing goods up the Kennet paid trade duties. Pilgrims made donations in thanks for having their prayers answered. The business side of the abbey was run from the treasury, located over the passageway through the doorway straight ahead., Nave - This was the main body of the church, where pilgrims and visitors came to attend services and pray at side altars and chapels. , Crossing - Where two short side arms join the main body of the church, creating a cross shape. Many larger Christian churches follow this pattern. , Lady Chapel - This chapel was added to the church in the early 14th century. It was called the 'lady' chapel because it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. , Founder's chapel - Monks said prayers here for Henry I, founder of Reading Abbey, at an altar just to your left below the window. , Treasury - Where money and important papers were kept and abbey business was settled., Want to be a monk? In medieval times you could train to be a monk when you were still a child. A trainee monk was called a novice. He lived in the monastery and learned about monastery life. After about a year, when the other monks thought he was ready, the novice had to swear to follow all the monastery rules-which included not having any personal belongings and staying single for life. Becoming a monk was a big decision., Timeline , 1121 - Henry I founds Reading Abbey , 1164 - Henry II attends official opening of Reading Abbey , 1254 - Reading receives royal charter from Henry III , 1453 - Parliament meets at Reading Abbey , 1539 - Henry VIII closes Reading Abbey. Abbot Hugh is executed , 1560 - Elizabeth grants a new town charter , 1643 - Abbey church is severely damaged in Civil War , 1833 - People of Reading fundraise to buy Abbey Ruins , 1840 - St James Church opens in former abbey grounds , 1861 - Abbey Gateway is restored by George Gilbert Scott , 1920 - Reading Pageant in Abbey Ruins , 2018 - Abbey Ruins re-open after major conservation works