Page "Arbroath Abbey" Paragraph 1

Arbroath Abbey, in the Scottish town of Arbroath, was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion for a group of Tironensian Benedictine monks from Kelso Abbey.

It was consecrated in 1197 with a dedication to the deceased Saint Thomas Becket, whom the king had met at the English court.

It was William's only personal foundation — he was buried before the high altar of the church in 1214.