The Dissolution of the Monasteries
Under King Henry VIII and the Dissolution of the Monasteries St Augustine’s monastery was disbanded and the monastic buildings at Minster fell to the Crown. The monastery church and many of the other buildings were either pulled down or allowed to fall into ruins. It is said that the stones were taken to Deal and used in part for construction of Walmer Castle. The West and Northern wings of Minster Abbey remain intact.
Under private ownership
In 1602 King James I. granted the former monastic property to Sir Philip Carey, William Pitt and John Williams. The estate was divided between them.
In 1688 Sir John Williams’ widowed granddaughter, carried the Minster Court property in marriage to Col. William Conyngham. Towards the end of Charles II reign he was succeeded by his son Henry who was created Baron Conyngham (of Mt Charles, Donegal) by George II in 1753, and Viscount, Earl Conyngham, in 1780. From 1787 Minster Court was leased to the Swinford family and their descendants, the Collards.
In 1928, the manor house and 10 acres of land were put on the market and acquired by Mr. C. H. Senior. It was he who arranged for archaeological investigations on the south lawn, particularly the area previously occupied by the monastic church. The foundations of both the Saxon and the Norman churches were uncovered, and the site of St. Mildred’s 8th century tomb in the apse of the church.
In 1936 Mr and Mrs Senior decided to put the property up for sale.
