rowland Abbey, also known as Croyland Abbey, is situated in Crowland, Lincolnshire and its remains are attached to the parish church. The abbey was founded by Ethelbald, the King of Mercia, early in the eight century. When the Danes invaded in around 870, the area the abbey was attacked and destroyed. Building work began again but the building was destroyed by fire in 1091 and again some thirty years later. In 1170 reconstruction began again and this time the abbey survived intact until the monasteries were dissolved by Henry VIII.