The Timeline of Reading Abbey
1121
Reading Abbey founded by Henry I.
It followed the death of his son and heir William the previous year. Housing monks of the Benedictine order, at it's height it would become one of the largest abbey's in Europe.
1135
Henry I dies and is buried in Reading Abbey.
Henry died before the abbey could be completed. Although the grave has been lost, accounts give the location as in front of the high alter.
1189
Hospitium of St John the Baptist completed.
The oldest part of the abbey still intact and in use. It has been used variously as a hospital, a school, the town hall and as offices. it is a grade II listed building.
1240
Sumer is Icumin in written down.
The earliest known six part harmony written down in the UK. (possible insert of media player).
1538
Dissolution of Reading Abbey.
Henry VIII dissolves Reading Abbey as part of his wider campaign against the Catholic church. It's lands and property are confiscated by the crown.
1539
Hugh Farringdon, Last Abbot of Reading Abbey executed.
Hugh Farringdon was the last Abbot of Reading Abbey. Originally favored by the crown as an advisor, he was convicted of high treason after being accused of supporting Catholic Rebels. He was hung, drawn and quartered outside the Abbey gate.
1642-42
Siege of Reading.
Reading is held by Royalist forces against siege by Parliamentarians. The area around Forbury gardens forms part of the defensive earthworks, with Forbury hill used as a gun emplacement. The abbey is severely damaged.
1795
Jane Austen attends Reading Ladies Boarding School.
The school was sited on the southern edge of the abbey site, and made use of the abbey gate as a schoolroom.
1840
St James Church founded.
Designed by A. W. N. Pugin, The church extensively reuses stone from Reading abbey.
1844
Reading Gaol opened.
The gaol was constructed to enforce the "separate system", in which inmates were denied all contact with each other.
1856
Forbury gardens laid out.
Previously the traditional town fairground, the establishment of a formal garden was part of the parks movement, which sought to provide better living conditions for ordinary townsfolk.
1886
The Maiwand Lion erected.
Built to commemorate 329 men of the Royal Berkshire Regiment killed at the battle of Maiwand in 1880, part of the The Second Anglo-Afghan war.
1897
The Ballad of Reading Gaol published.
Renowned Poet and playwright Oscar Wild was imprisoned in Reading between 1895 and 1897 on charges of gross indecency. On his release he publishes The Ballad of Reading Gaol
1940
The abbey ruins are the site of air raid shelters for boys of nearby Reading School.
On the site of the monks dormitories. The shelters were demolished at the end of the war.
2000
Oscar Wilde memorial walk opened.
Situated between the river Kennet and walls of Reading Gaol.
2014
Reading Gaol closed.
At present, it is undecided what to do with the site. A local campaign to turn it into an arts center has attracted considerable support.
2014
Renovation and conservation of Abbey complete. Abbey ruins reopened to the public.
Following a ten year restoration and conservation project, The ruins are open to the public all year around.
2020
Reading terrorist attack.
James Furlong, David Wails, and Joe Ritchie-Bennett are tragically murdered.
2021
Graffiti by renowned artist Banksey appears on the wall of Reading Gaol.
It appeared on the night of 28th February to 1st March. It is later partly vandalised before the current protection measures are introduced by Reading Borough council.