Henry VIII and the Reformation

In the 16th century, King Henry VIII’s break with Rome led to the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536–1541). Religious houses across England were suppressed, their lands confiscated by the crown.

Roche Abbey was dissolved in 1538, with its monks dispersed.

Impact on the Abbey

Following dissolution, Roche Abbey’s buildings were stripped of valuable materials like lead and stone. The site fell into ruin, its lands sold or leased to private owners.

  Post-Dissolution Decline and Rediscovery

Ruin and Neglect

For centuries, Roche Abbey lay largely forgotten, its stones robbed and structures overgrown. The valley’s natural beauty preserved remnants of the abbey amid trees and water.

18th and 19th Century Interest

The picturesque ruins attracted antiquarians and artists during the Romantic period, who celebrated the abbey’s atmospheric decay.

Literary and artistic works helped preserve interest in the site. shutdown123