Medmenham Abbey

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Medmenham Abbey a ruined Cistercian abbey on the Thames near Marlow, rebuilt as a residence and notorious in the 18th century as the meeting-place of a convivial club known as the Franciscans or Hell-fire Club, founded by Francis Dashwood. Its motto ‘Fay ce que voudras [Do what you will]’ was adopted from that of Rabelais's abbey of Thélème.

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