Hailes Abbey, Stanway, Gloucestershire
A view of the ruins of St Mary's Abbey, a Cistercian abbey. It was founded in 1246 by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. He founded it in thanksgiving for surviving a shipwreck. The abbey church was built by 1277. The abbey had extensive and elaborate buildings, financed by pilgrims visiting its renowned relic, 'the Holy Blood of Hailes' - allegedly a phial of Christ's own blood. Following its dissolution in 1539 by Henry VIII, the abbey was sold to a dealer in monastic properties, soon after which the church was demolished.This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
