Forde Abbey

Founded in the twelfth century, Forde Abbey flourished as a monastery for four hundred years, during which time it became one of the richest and most learned institutions of its kind in England. The last Abbot, Thomas Chard, was perhaps the greatest and is certainly the best remembered. He succeeded in 1521, and applied his substantial fund of learning, energy and imagination to a comprehensive overhaul and reconstruction of the fabric of the Abbey.

Abbot Chard’s masterplan was interrupted in 1539 by the dissolution of the larger monasteries. Chard decided that discretion was the better part of valour and handed Forde Abbey quietly over to the Crown, becoming vicar of Thorncombe until his death in 1543. In the same year the Abbey and its lands was leased by the Crown to Richard Pollard for the sum of £49. 6s. 6d.

Further facts

In the 13th century Forde was one of the most learned Monasteries in the country.

Its first lay owner entertained the Duke of Monmouth as he planned his rebellion and ended up in the Tower of London.

Jeremy Bentham also rented the house for a period during the 19th century, and did much of his writing here.