Today marks the 500th anniversary of the Bayham Abbey Uprising, a remarkable story of courage which saw over 100 men from the surrounding villages of Kent and Sussex, armed with makeshift weapons, storm the abbey in protest at its closure by Cardinal Wolsey. Viewed by historians as a foretaste of the turbulent years of religious reform to follow, Bayham Abbey’s suppression and the subsequent protest are an indication of the esteem in which monastic houses were held. We will be holding a commemorative event this summer and are now launching a search for those with family connections to the protestors, to include them in our plans.

More than a decade prior to the Dissolution of Monasteries, Cardinal Wolsey had already started suppressing some of England’s smaller monasteries to fund his new colleges at Oxford and Ipswich. Bayham Abbey, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, was among those targeted, leading to its closure in 1525. Incensed, local people turned to violence in support of their abbey. On 4 June 1525 “over a hundred men with painted faces and visures”, armed with longbows, crossbows, swords and clubs, assembled at the abbey to reinstate the evicted canons (ordained priests living a communal life). They stormed the abbey gatehouse and temporarily restored the community. The canons were once again removed a week later and 31 men were indicted by the Crown for rioting. It is the descendants of these men that we are hoping to find.

Michael Carter, English Heritage Historian, said:

“The Bayham Abbey Uprising is a fascinating precursor to Henry VIII’s religious reforms - a harbinger not only of the Dissolution of the Monasteries just ten years later but also of the Pilgrimage of Grace, which was a major revolt against the reforms in the North of England in 1536 and 1537.

“In 1525, Bayham was deeply embedded in the religious and social life of its locality. Many of its community — the canons — were local boys and their prayers were highly prized. In addition, the bed in which St Richard of Chichester slept had been preserved at Bayham Abbey as a relic and was believed to perform miracles.

“The abbey was also a significant employer and the men who took part in the uprising were predominantly local tradesmen, including shoemakers, labourers and farmers. Whilst they will undoubtedly have feared the loss of their spiritual leaders, their loss of income would have been of equal concern. This act of rebellion could have cost them their lives and, as we reach the 500^th anniversary of the riot, we are keen to remember and celebrate these brave men.”

Today, Bayham Abbey stands as an impressive ruin, built from golden local sandstone, with much of the 13th to 15th-century church, the refectory range, and picturesque 14th-century gatehouse remaining.  It is open to the public daily for free. There are also several objects relating to Bayham Abbey’s dissolution and uprising within English Heritage’s collection, which we hope to bring out for visitors to see during the commemorative event this summer.

Amongst these is the abbey’s stained glass, one of the most important collections of medieval window glass from any monastic site in England. Abandoned after everything of value at the abbey had been removed to be sold (including the lead holding the windows together), these fragments of glass are in a remarkably stable condition and still translucent, showing a vibrant display of patterns and colours. Meanwhile, perhaps the most unusual piece of Bayham’s collection is its pair of ankle shackles, suggesting that Bayham may have had a prison on site for the punishment of badly behaved members of the community.

English Heritage is searching for family connections to the following 31 men. Those who think they may have a connection, should email press@english-heritage.org.uk: