BINSTEAD
"BINSTEAD, a parish in the liberty of East Medina, Isle of Wight, in the
county of Southampton, 6 miles to the N.E. of Newport. It is situated in a
pleasant spot on the north coast of the island, about 1 mile west of Ryde,
its post town. In the vicinity are some fine woods, and the ancient
stone-quarries which supplied the material for the erection of Winchester
Cathedral. Quarr, about a mile to the west of the village, was the site of
the Cistercian abbey founded by Baldwin de Redvers, or Rivers, afterwards
Earl of Devonshire, in the year 1132. It was dedicated to the Virgin, and
was valued at the Dissolution at £184. The spot was well chosen, having a
good sea view, and sheltered landwards by rich woods. The walls may still
be traced, and inclose a space of about 30 acres. There are remains of the
church and the refectory, the latter being now used as a barn.
The founder and his lady were interred there."
[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of
Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson (c)2003]
[Last updated: 4th August 2003, 04:02 BST - Brian Pears]
