This is the church of the Holy Cross and St Lawrence, Waltham Abbey in Essex. The church has served the community for fourteen centuries. There have been several churches on the site over the years. The present building dates from the 12th cent. In the late Middle Ages Waltham was one of the largest churches in England and was a place of pilgrimage.
It was the last religious community to be closed in 1540 during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Ruins of the 14th cent gatehouse of the Augustinian Abbey. Built in 1369 of stone and bricks the gateway formed the main entrance to the abbey precinct. The large archway was for wheeled traffic and the smaller one for pedestrians.
I was there very early one Sunday morning and enjoyed the surroundings. I must return at a different hour when the Abbey is open.
Ancestor by Helena Stykianides. It was carved from a nine foot tree trunk from Epping Forest donated by the Corporation of London.
Legend has it that the Abbey is the burial site of King Harold, the last Saxon King who died in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings.
Legend has it that the Abbey is the burial site of King Harold, the last Saxon King who died in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings. 
A lovely oeaceful area & I do like the carved "ancestor" from a tree trunk.
ReplyDeleteA place I would like to visit when I get the chance, looks very peaceful
ReplyDeleteLovely abbey! You remind me that I'm going to miss Downton Abbey. :-)
ReplyDeleteahhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeletethe history makes me melt. (the photos aren't half-bad either *wink*)
Beautiful! And so gigantic. Love all the details you took:) Hope that people are able to visit this, also from the inside?
ReplyDeleteA beautiful building! I enjoyed seeing your photos and the details!
ReplyDeleteSuperbe endroit et monument !
ReplyDeleteJust so amazing that something this old still stands. Here in Oklahoma, early 1800's is the oldest it gets.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. It's not a place I've visited, though I'd like to. I also need to get to Waltham Cross to see the remains of the Eleanor cross there.
ReplyDeleteHow great to see living history!
ReplyDeleteI love your photos of the old churches throughout England.
ReplyDeleteThe history in your part of the world is pretty mind boggling to someone from the colonies :) Thanks for sharing Fun60.
ReplyDeleteThe history in your part of the world is pretty mind boggling to someone from the colonies :) Thanks for sharing Fun60.
ReplyDeleteThat statue is wonderful. It seems a miracle that these monasteries and abbeys have remained standing for all this time after being (forced to) abandoned. When open, are there services or tours ?
ReplyDeleteLovely! I do love visiting monasteries and abbeys.
ReplyDeleteWonderful and interesting place.
ReplyDeleteI like the reflections! This looks like a great place to explore.
ReplyDeletegorgeous reflections. Soon it will be gren :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful time to visit. You can feel the peace and quiet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely Abbey to visit and I love the reflection of the trees inthe water.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your journey this week. What a grand building is the Waltham Abbey and a sweet bird.
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