Romsey Abbey, Romsey, Hampshire

The earliest record of the nunnery at Romsey Abbey dates from 907, with its foundation attributed to Edward the Elder for his daughter Elfeda. The Abbey is also noted for the unusual design of the Romsey Rood that lies outside the west wall of the south transept. The Rood has the Christ figure with the hand of God leaping out from behind a cloud. During the Dissolution, the town banded together and bought the Abbey in order to save it from its impending destruction. (see N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, London, 1973, pp. 477-486).