Alnwick Abbey

Down the road about a mile is the Alnwick abbey. The abbey was established by the owner of Alnwick castle before the Percys purchased it, but the abbey was sustained by the Percys. Thomas de Boynton was invited to the priory in 1376 to celebrate the assumption of Mary. He attended, notwithstanding the distance. It is the one time we are certain that he was in Alnwick -- though given his relationship with the Percys it is highly probable that he was there on other occasions.

The abbey was closed by Henry VIII in the sixteenth century -- as were they all. All that remains is the gate at what was the entrance to the abbey.

The gate is so weathered that the heraldry is almost unrecognizable. The shield on the left of the picture is indiscernible, but the shields on the right of the picture can be made out. But this is all that is left of a once important part of the religion of the northern England community.

This is the end of the Alnwick castle tour. Click on the warrior to return to the introduction to Boynton places.