Images: St. Albans abbey gatehouse, from south and north (photos: C.A. Stanford)
Acquired: 1539
St. Albans was a large abbey of Benedictine monks that lay on one of the main roads to the north. At its dissolution, Henry took charge of the structure, wishing to convert the abbot’s lodgings, stables and other structures into a house in which he could reside during his travels. A surveyor was appointed and repairs made in 1541 and 1543.
Shortly after Henry’s death, the great abbey church was sold to the town, which preserved it as a parish church (it was later granted the cathedral status it enjoys today). The Crown retained part of the great court and stables, but the residential buildings came into private hands. Today, only the abbey gatehouse remains of the monastic structures that accompanied the church building.