New Minster, Winchester

Alfred the Great had intended to build the monastery, but only got around to buying the land.

His son, Edward the Elder, finished the project according to Alfred's wishes, with the help of Saint Grimbald who became its first abbot.

It stood so close to the Old Minster that the voices of the two choirs merged with chaotic results.

[3] Queen Emma added the head of Saint Valentine in 1041.

With the building of the new cathedral at Winchester after the Norman Conquest of England, the monks of New Minster were obliged to move to Hyde Mead just outside the northern city walls, thus founding the Abbey of Hyde.

A page from a 966 charter of King Edgar of England in which he confirms the conversion of New Minster, Winchester into a Benedictine monastery. Edgar is pictured here standing between the Virgin Mary and St. Peter . [ 1 ]