Thorn Abbey

Coordinates: 50°10′N 5°50′E / 50.167°N 5.833°E / 50.167; 5.833
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Imperial Abbey of Thorn
Reichsstift Thorn (
li)
Rijksabdij van Thorn (nl
)
1292–1794
Coat of arms of Thorn Abbey
Coat of arms
France
1794
June 9, 1815
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Bishopric of Liège
Bishopric of Liège
Meuse-Inférieure

Thorn Abbey or the Imperial Abbey of Thorn was an

Lower Rhenish-Westphalian Circle
.

At the time Thorn Abbey was invaded by the French revolutionaries in 1794, its territory was composed of three non-contiguous parts totaling 52.1 km2. In addition, the abbess shared rule over nearby areas totaling 35 km2. The abbey's territory was divided into four "quarters", each administered by two mayors. The population in 1796 was 2,975 inhabitants.

In 1797, the abbey was officially dissolved by the French. The Baroque interior survived the restoration but the spire was replaced with a massive neo-Gothic bell tower.[1]

Foundation

Ansfried of Utrecht and his wife Hereswint are regarded as the founders of the Abbey of Thorn

A Benedictine double monastery was founded by Count Ansfried of Utrecht and his wife Hereswint, countess of Strijen, in the late tenth century on land owned by Hereswint at Thorn.[2] Hereswint was to be the first abbess but died on her way there; and Benedicta took her place.[3]

Abbey structure

Model of the abbey district

The community of women came only from the high nobility.

Damenstift
). In 1310, the members of the abbey stressed their secular status and claimed never to have been Benedictine.

View of the south side of St. Michael's Church

In the 18th century, the collegiate ladies, or canonesses, were, in principle, required to reside in the abbey all year, except for at most six weeks per year. However, for 600 florins, ladies could buy themselves freedom; although in theory they were still required to provide six weeks of choral service, this was not always observed in practice. This possibility of buying freedom appears to have been used frequently. Some ladies belonged to several abbeys. Maria Josepha of Hatzfeld and Gleichen, for example, was a member of the abbeys at Thorn and Essen for 46 years. During this time, she resided in Essen Abbey for four years, but never in Thorn.

The abbey district contained a curia building for the deaconess and five houses for the ladies; some built themselves houses outside the abbey precincts. In the 14th century, a new Gothic church was built.

History

The imperial immediacy of the abbey was confirmed in 1292 by King

reichsunmittelbar. The matriculation duties, however, were transferred to the Counts of Lippe
.

The abbey was a member the Lower Rhenish-Westphalian Circle and the Rhenish College of Imperial Prelates.

In the 17th century the governorship of the Spanish Netherlands sought to restrict the imperial immediacy. The abbesses resisted these attempts successfully. In the 18th century, the abbess held the title of Princess. Several abbesses were concurrently heads of Essen Abbey.

The territory was occupied by French troops in 1794 and later annexed by France. In 1815, the

Kingdom of the United Netherlands. The abbey property, the monastery, the palace of the abbess and the other buildings were confiscated and sold to the highest bidders and usually demolished for construction material, with only the abbey church surviving.[2]
The abbey Church of St. Michael became a parish church.

Abbesses

References

  1. ^ Abdijkerkthorn.nl: Historie
  2. ^ a b c "Archaeological site Thorn - The Abby of Thorn", Hart van Limburg
  3. ^ van der Akker SJ, Dries. "Ansfried of Utrecht", Heiligen.net
  4. ISBN 9789065696779
    .
  5. ISBN 9030400641
    .

Further reading

External links

50°10′N 5°50′E / 50.167°N 5.833°E / 50.167; 5.833

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