Flaxley

"FLAXLEY, a parish in the hundred of St. Briavel's, county Gloucester, 3 miles N.E. of Newnham, its post town, and 11 S.W. of Gloucester. It is situated at a short distance from the river Severn. The road from Westbury-on-Severn to Mitcheldean passes through the village. In the reign of Stephen an abbey of the Cistercian order was founded by Robert Fitz-Milo, which, at the Dissolution, passed to the Kingston family. There are iron-mines and smelting works in the neighbourhood, which give employment to many of the people.

The living is a donative curacy in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, value £108. The church is a handsome stone structure in the decorated style of architecture, with tower and spire. It is dedicated to St. Mary. The parochial charities produce about £50 per annum, being chiefly for apprenticeships, by the late Mrs. Bovey. Flaxley Abbey, the seat of Sir M. H. C. Bovey, who is lord of the manor, stands on the site and retains some portion of the ancient edifice."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]