Syon Abbey, also called simply Syon, was a dual monastery of men and women of the Bridgettine Order, although it only ever had abbesses during its existence. It was founded in 1415 and stood, until its demolition in the 16th century, on the left (northern) bank of the River Thames within the parish of Isleworth, in the county of Middlesex, on or near the site of the present Georgian mansion of Syon House, today in the London Borough of Hounslow. It was named after the biblical holy "City of David which is Zion", built on the eponymous Mount Zion.
Engraving of original seal of the Abbess and Convent of Syon, Isleworth. Seated above is the Virgin Mary, holding the infant Jesus in her right arm. In her left hand she holds a stem of lily, her attribute denoting purity. Below is the founder of Syon Monastery, King Henry V, who kneels praying to the Virgin and Christ above, by the intercession of St Bridget, standing behind. The royal arms of England appear on the right with the cross of St George, patron of England, on the left, apparently with a lily between each arm. The legend around the perimeter is: "S(igillum) commune monasterii Sc'i (sancti) Salvatoris de Syon london' dioc'...." Dated between 1415 (founding) and 1422 (death of H V). Printed in Aungier's History of Syon Monastery, London, 1840
The Vision of St Bridget, detail of initial letter miniature, dated 1530, probably made at Syon. The document is a conveyance of lands bequeathed to Sheen Priory by the will of Hugh Denys(d.1511) to Syon (BL Harley MS 4640,f.15)
Funerary Brass of Dame Agnes Jordan, last pre-Reformation Abbess of Syon Monastery, died 29 January 1546. St Mary's Church, Denham, Buckinghamshire
Marley House, a Georgian mansion built by Walter Palk (1742–1819), MP, in the parish of Rattery in Devon, renamed "Syon Abbey" in 1925 when the community took up residence
The Bridgettines, or Birgittines, formally known as the Order of the Most Holy Savior, is a monastic religious order of the Catholic Church founded by Saint Birgitta in 1344 and approved by Pope Urban V in 1370. They follow the Rule of Saint Augustine. There are today several different branches of Bridgettines.
Habit of the professed Bridgettine nuns with the typical crown of linnen on the veil
Covent church of the Pax Mariae abbey in Vadstena, the first Bridgettine monastery of the old branch
Bridgettine monastery in Hrodna, Belarus
Coat of arms The Order of the Most Holy Savior (Bridgettines)