Abbey; more remains of its great nearby rival, Hailes Abbey. Timeline for Winchcombe Abbey 798 – King Kenulf of Mercia gives instructions for building an abbey 811 – Winchcombe Abbey is dedicated by Wulfred, Archbishop of Canterbury 1042–1066 – During Edward the Confessor's reign Winchcombe Abbey becomes one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in the country 29 August 1151 – Fire destroys much of Winchcombe, including the Abbey 1239 – Re-building of the Abbey completed 23 December 1539 – Winchcombe Abbey is surrendered to the crown and the monks are pensioned off. The Abbey buildings are quickly demolished the stone being re-used in other buildings See also List of monastic houses in Gloucestershire List of abbeys and priories in England References 790s establishments Anglo-Saxon monastic houses 1539 disestablishments in England Monasteries in Gloucestershire Benedictine monasteries in England Christian monasteries established in the 8th century 8th-century establishments in England Winchcombe