Lacock Abbey was founded in the early 13th-century by Ela, Countess of Salisbury. Ela was the daughter of Patrick, Earl of Salisbury and was married to William Longespee, the illegitimate son of Henry II. William was one of the most powerful barons of the time. He was a witness of the Magna Carta and with Ela laid the fourth and fifth foundation stones of Salisbury Cathedral. Ela founded two religious houses in his memory on the same day, involving a journey of 16 miles, one at Hinton Charterhouse for Carthusian Monks and the other at Lacock for Augustinian Canonesses.
The Abbey was built with stone obtained from Ralph Croc, who owned a quarry at Hazelbury near Box, Wiltshire and with timbers from the royal forest.
Generally, the Abbey prospered throughout the Middle Ages. The rich farmlands of its endowment by Ela ensured a sizeable income from wool throughout its medieval life. The nuns were mostly ladies of good family, usually between fifteen and twenty-five in number but the community was increased by a number of lay sisters, who looked after the more menial tasks, and guests who came for hospitality.
The fine medieval cloisters, sacristy, chapter house and monastic rooms of the Abbey have survived largely intact.
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