Shaftesbury Abbey was a Benedictine monastery founded in the 888 AD by King Alfred the Great. Located in Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, it played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of the area during the Middle Ages. The abbey was dedicated to Saint Edward the Martyr, who was murdered in 978 AD, and became a site of pilgrimage. The abbey was dissolved in 1539 during the English Reformation under King Henry VIII. Today, the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey are a historical site, offering insights into monastic life and architecture of the period. Visitors can explore the remnants and learn about its rich history.