It was founded in 669 by Aldhelm, grandson of King Ina and disciple of the Irish monk Maidulfo. Aldhelm became its first abbot in 672; he enlarged the church dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour and to SS Peter and Paul and built two other churches, one dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the other to St Michael.
In 958 King Edwy damaged the abbey and expelled the monks, while King Edgar in 974 readmitted them and restored the buildings; the abbey church was embellished with two imposing towers, the monastery flourished and from it came Pechhelm, first bishop of Whithorn, Æthelhard, bishop first of Winchester and then of Canterbury, Elfrí, bishop of Crediton, John Scotus Eriugena, Færcius of Arezzo, G. Somerset called of M. (q.v.). The abbey was dissolved in 1539.
For the Malmesburiense itinerarium, V. ITINERARI.