Lessay Abbey

Lessay Abbey
Abbey of the Holy Trinity of Lessay
French: Abbaye Sainte-Trinité de Lessay
Lessay Abbey, 2008
Lessay Abbey Location in France
49°13′12″N 1°31′58″W
Location	Lessay, Manche, Normandy
Country	France
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Religious order	Benedictines
Website	www.abbayes-normandes.com/abbaye/abbaye-de-la-sainte-trinite-de-lessay/
History
Status	Restored
Founded	1056
Dedication	Holy Trinity
Architecture
Functional status	Preserved
Architectural type	Abbey
Style	Romanesque
Demolished	1944
Administration
Diocese	Coutances
Parish	Sainte-Opportune
Monument historique
Official name	Ancienne abbaye de Lessay
Type	Abbaye
Designated	1840; October 19, 1946
Reference no.	PA00110438

The Abbey of the Holy Trinity (French: Abbaye de la Sainte-Trinité) is an 11th century Romanesque Benedictine Abbey church located in Lessay, Manche, France, then in Normandy. The abbey is one of the most important Norman Romanesque churches as one of the earliest examples of the use of the rib vault in Western churches, that was later a key element of Gothic architecture. The abbey was nearly destroyed in 1357 before being totally destroyed in 1944 and subsequently fully rebuilt.

History

Founding

The Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Trinity in Lessay was founded in 1056 by Turstin Haldup, Baron of La Haye-du-Puits, and his wife Emma. The foundation of the abbey was confirmed in 1080 by William the Conqueror, who for his seneschal had Turstin's son Eudes.

References

French language

• Couppey, Louis (1898). Notes historiques sur le prieuré conventuel d'Héauville à La Hague (in French). Imprimerie de l'Eure.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
• Desoulières, F. (1943). Au début de l'art roman : les églises de l'onzième siècle en France. Les Éditions d'Art et d'Histoire.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)