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Shaftesbury Abbey

Shaftesbury, Dorset

King Alfred's abbey, once home to the bones of a murdered boy king.

King Alfred founded this abbey in 888 and made his daughter Æthelgifu its first abbess. Around 980 the body of the young King Edward the Martyr, murdered at Corfe, was brought here, and pilgrims flocked to his shrine.

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When
Founded 888, destroyed 1539
Where
51.0055, -2.1983
Group
Castles & abbeys

Visiting

The abbey ruins and museum open in season. Gold Hill, of Hovis advert fame, is round the corner.

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