Masked nun in the gatehouse at Minster Abbey

Image: © Marathon Taken: 7 Aug 2020

Minster Abbey is named after a Saxon nunnery here which was founded in 664AD and sacked by the Danes in 835. This was re-established about 1130, when the present church was built, incorporating and still showing parts of its Saxon predecessor. It is located on the highest point of the Isle of Sheppey and gives superb views to the south across the island and beyond The Swale to the mainland. Following the Dissolution, the Abbey came into the ownership of Sir Thomas Cheyne (or Cheney) and he was first buried in the now lost chapel of Saint Katherine on this site in 1559. Most of the Abbey was eventually demolished except for the church and the adjacent Abbey Gatehouse. The Gatehouse survived because it was used as a private residence and now contains an interesting local history museum. This masked nun was at the entrance. A full description of the Abbey can be found at http://www.minsterabbey.org.uk/3.html

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