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The Abbey of St. Benet's Hulme or St. Bene't-at-Holme was founded in the 9th Century by the hermit Suneman and was built on a sand and gravel island known as Cow Holm. In the 10th Century Wolfric built a cell on the sight of Suneman's chapel and under lands granted by King Canute in 1020, the cell grew into the Monastery of St Benet-at-Holm, which was then built like a castle. At one time the Abbey was one of the wealthiest Benedictine establishments in the country and reached the height of its prosperity in the middle ages and amongst other things controlled all the peat diggings that eventually made the Norfolk Broads. They monks also oversaw and profited from farming and other industry within a large area around the abbey. By 1046 the abbey had 28 dependent churches and property in 76 parishes by 1291. However, although it declined before the reformation, uniquely, it was the only monastery in Britain not to be included in the dissolution. Instead if closing the monastery in 1536, King Henry VIII appointed Bishop Reppes as Abbot of St Benets and further granted him the abbey and all its properties in return for land owned by the Diocese of Norwich. However, the new bishop soon plundered the site and the last monk left soon after, in 1545. All the buildings were demolished, except the gatehouse and probably taken to Norwich by river for reuse. The Bishop of Norwich still retains the title of Abbot of St. Benets and since 1939 has held a service there each year.
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Ian :)