April Pre-604 A.D. Cerne Abbey, Dorset, UK—Founded by St. Augustine Hermitage; Benedictine Monks, 9th Cent (??);
April Pre-604 A.D. Cerne Abbey, Dorset, UK—Founded by St. Augustine Hermitage; Benedictine Monks, 9 th Cent (??); Purportedly Destroyed by Canute; Dissolved 1539; Granted to John Dudley, 1574; Remains Incorporated in Private House Cerne Abbey From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Cerne Abbey Cerne Abbey was a Benedictine monastery founded in 987 AD in the town now called Cerne Abbas by Æthelmær the Stout . History Founded in 987 AD by Æthelmær the Stout . Ælfric of Eynsham , the most prolific writer in Old English was known to have spent time at the abbey as a priest and teacher. [1] King Canute is known to have plundered this monastery during an attack upon the town, but afterwards became a benefactor of it. [2] By the time of the Domesday Book , the abbey had added largely to its endowment. [2] Much of this wealt...