 The abbey and its religious community flourished and were renowned as a seat of learning – especially for the children of the nobility.In Norman times a substantial, new stone abbey, primarily designed as a convent, was built on the old Anglo-Saxon foundation (circa 1130 to 1140 AD) by Henry Blois, Bishop of Winchester and Abbot of Glastonbury.Bishop Henry was the younger brother of King Stephen and his structure dominates the town to this day.