The house was founded or perhaps refounded more than a millennium ago by Edward the Elder in 907; his daughter was abbess here, and here was buried.

The University, which Lorenzo "il Magnifico" had refounded, had been abandoned by his successors and was closed.

In the year 1790, I was cast into the furnace, refounded at London, and returned to my sacred vocation.

It was suppressed with the abbey and refounded by Edward VI.