One piece of research suggests that the original Abbot, Faritius, was appointed in 1101; he initially placed six monks at the site.
On his deathbed, Geoffrey had bequeathed to Abingdon the church and lands at Kensington, Middlesex, and his parents and brothers had confirmed that grant, as had King Henry I. Aubrey and Beatrice became very attached to Abingdon, but as they lived primarily in Essex (at Castle Hedingham), the aging couple found it difficult to journey there.
About 1112 Aubrey I retired to the priory, joined by his youngest son, William de Vere, both of whom died there shortly thereafter.
Based on the excavations that finished in 1934, an archaeologist produced a Priory ground plan (map) during the following year.
[10] A manor house was later built; the Priory church was demolished at an unknown date, prior to 1760.
[11] In 1935, many of the surviving tombs at Colne, some with effigies,[12] were removed and relocated to St Stephen's Chapel near Bures, Suffolk.