You are standing upon the site of three ancient edifices. On the summit of Hill Top (approximately on this site) a convent was established about the year 650 A.D. by a Saxon lady, later canonised under the name of St Osburg + + The convent was destroyed by the Danes when they ravaged Mercia in 1016 A.D. + + + Twentyseven years later (1043A.D.) a Benedictine Abbey Church was built on the same ground by Leofric, Earl of Mercia and his Countess Godiva. Leofric and Godiva are said to have been buried respectively in the two porches which stood nearly on this spot. + + + Here about 1140 A.D. was commenced the building of the Benedictine Priory Church or Cathedral of St Mary which was completed about 1220 A.D. and demolished subsequent to 1539 A.D. It possessed three spires and a central tower. + + + Sic Transit Gloria Mundi.