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The Abbey was the second largest in Somerset after Glastonbury . Today we have the remains of a medieval Benedictine Abbey, the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon abbey, and an early Tudor house dating from the 16th century, formerly the lodgings of the resident Abbot. A fine unusual intact structure is the Abbot's House with well-preserved architectural features including external stonework and inside a great chamber with ornate fireplace, carved settle and stained glass, and timber roof. An unusual attraction is the nearby thatched two-storey monks' lavatory, unique in Britain. The south cloister walk and the north wall of a refectory are surviving features otherwise only some foundation walls remain. Muchelney, the atmospheric and once-remote 'great island' amid the Somerset Levels. This area before the drains (canals) were put in, was largely inaccessible. Tidal surges also came in across some parts of the Somerset levels several times. It is this area and islands that some feel are connected with the stories of King Arthur. In addition on this site we have a complete early Tudor house in miniature. Originally the abbots' lodgings, this charming building includes a magnificent great chamber with ornate fireplace, carved settle and stained glass, two rooms with time-faded walls painted to resemble cloth hangings and a pair of kitchens with fine timber roof. An exhibition illustrates monastic life with a fascinating collection of site finds, including decorated tiles and stonework. Legends A local tale, describes a love between a young man and the daughter of an important knight, who, being against their union, forbade their marriage. The heartbroken man became a monk and travelled in due course to Muchelney Abbey. There to his great surprise he found his former love cloistered as a nun whereupon they renewed their relationship not just in defiance of her father but also in defiance of Holy Orders. They planned to elope but, unhappily, were betrayed. The young monk (or in some versions he is the Prior) was sent in disgrace to a distant Abbey while the nun was walled up in a secret passage somewhere within the Muchelney Abbey buildings.
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