ewkesbury Abbey is situated on the river Avon on a site which may have been occupied by a Benedictine monastery in 715. In 1087 the Manor of Tewkesbury was handed by William Rufus to his cousin Robert FitzHamon. FitzHamon, along with Abbot Giraldus, founded the present Abbey in 1092. The Abbey's dimensions are almost identical with those of the original Westminster Abbey. In 1107 when FitHamon died at Falaise in Normandy his son-in-law Robert Fitzroy became Earl of Gloucester and continued the building work. On October 23rd 1123 Tewkesbury Abbey was consecrated. The Abbey was built mainly from stone imported from Caen.
Mini Timeline

1087		William Rufus gives Manor of Tewkesbury
		William Rufus gave the Manor of Tewkesbury to his cousin, Robert FitzHamon. Together with the patronage of the Priory of Tewkesbury.
1092		Tewkesbury Abbey Founded
		Robert FitzHamon, the cousin of William Rufus, together with Abbot Giraldus, founded the present Abbey at Tewkesbury.
1107		FitzHamon dies
		Robert FitzHamon died of his injuries at Falaise in Normandy in 1107. His son-in-law Robert Fitzroy succeeded to the Manor of Tewkesbury and continued the building the Abbey at Tewkesbury.
1123	Oct 23	Tewkesbury Abbey consecrated
		Five bishops took part in the consecration of Tewkesbury Abbey.
1471	May 4	The Battle of Tewkesbury
		The Yorkists led by Edward and Richard met the Lancastrians at Tewkesbury. Richard was able to outflank the Lancastrians led by Edmund Beaufort, the self-proclaimed Duke of Somerset. Once Somerset's men had been dealt with, Richard attacked the rear of the Lancastrian line which broke apart and fled. Many of the Lancastrian leaders were caught and killed including Edward the Prince of Wales. Margaret of Anjou was also captured.