 The abbey church, dedicated to Our Lady and St Rumon, was destroyed by Danish raiders in 997 and rebuilt under Lyfing, the second abbot.The church was further rebuilt in 1285 and the greater part of the abbey between 1457 and 1458.The abbey was founded in 961 by Ordgar, Ealdorman of Devon, and completed by his son Ordwulf in 981, in which year the charter of confirmation was granted by King Æthelred II (c.968-1016) "The Unready", nephew of Ordwulf.