Waverley Abbey [SEP] religious order
Waverley Abbey
Waverley Abbey was the first Cistercian abbey in England. It was founded in 1128 by William Giffard, Bishop of Winchester. Located in Farnham, Surrey, about southeast of the town centre, the abbey is situated on a floodplain, surrounded by current and previous channels of the River Wey. It was damaged on more than one occasion by severe flooding, resulting in rebuilding in the 13th century. Despite being the first Cistercian abbey in England, and being motherhouse to several other abbeys, Waverley was "slenderly endowed
the 10th century. The present church dates from the 12th century. However, by 1308 its fabric was "in a ruinous" condition" and the bishop ordered that repairs should be undertaken. By the end of the century the church was under the control of Waverley Abbey. By 1463 it was again in a ruinous condition, and again the bishop had to intervene; the church was put in good order again by July 1464. But its condition had deteriorated again by 1612; a new roof was built and