The original church on the site was built by King Osric in 676 and served a monastery of nuns until the Benedictines took over. King Edgar of Wessex was crowned here as the first King of England in 973. In 1087, the Normans granted the abbey to the Bishop of Wells. By the end of the 15th century, the old church needed to be replaced and construction of the present building commenced. During construction, the abbey was dissolved by Henry VIII and its monastic life ended. It was, therefore, several decades later before the building of the abbey was completed. Instead it became and remains a busy parish church.