Ruin

Took Little Lad out on the train today to Reading, our County town and also the site of the ruins of our Abbey. We spent a pleasant time wandering around the remains of what was once an extremely important religious centre.

Founded in 1121 by King Henry I, who was later buried there in 1136, the North-South width across the transepts was an impressive 200 feet and the total length was 475 feet and including associated buildings the Abbey covered some 30 Acres.

In the 1530's Henry VIII brought about the dissolution of the monasteries and Reading Abbey's fate was finally sealed after Hugh Farringdon the last Abbot was found guilty of high treason. In November 1539 he was hanged, drawn and quartered at the Abbey. The Abbots' lodgings for a time then became a royal palace and other buildings were put to other uses. Further damage occurred in 1643 thanks to bombardments during the English Civil War.

Swansea 2 - 0 Reading

The Coca-Cola Football League Championship Table 17 January 2009

		P	GD	PTS
1	Wolverhampton	28	22	59
2	Reading	28	31	54
3	Birmingham	27	11	52
4	Sheff Utd	28	15	47
5	Preston	28	7	47