He is regarded by anglicans, catholics, and other christians as a saint. The monastery of rievaulx, the earliest cistercian house in the county, was founded by walter espec in 11. As this is first cistercian monastery listed im going to briefly explain what the cistercian order was. Founded in the 12th century, rievaulx abbey quickly became one of the most powerful and spiritually renowned centres of monasticism in britain. The buildings were inventoried and then quickly dismantled by their new owner, and the site turned to industrial use. The present work is the first indepth study devoted to rievaulxs social history. Rievaulx abbey, north yorkshire, england, united kingdom. From its foundation in 12, rievaulx abbey in north yorkshire was home to as many as 650 monks, and became one of the most important cistercian abbeys, both architecturally and spiritually. History and stories rievaulx abbey english heritage. Jan 31, 2017 rievaulx abbey captured my imagination.
May 24, 2016 fragments of stonework and other materials from the spectacular ruins of rievaulx abbey reveal the history of one of the wealthiest monasteries of medieval england and the story of those who lived. Rievaulx abbey english heritage guidebooks by peter. Aelred of rievaulx project gutenberg selfpublishing. Saint aelred of rievaulx, writer, historian, and outstanding cistercian abbot who influenced monasticism in medieval england, scotland, and france. Founded in 12, rievaulx abbey was the first cistercian abbey in the north. This text studies the architecture of rievaulx abbey, viewing the buildings 800year history and the varying periods of construction and deconstruction as much in terms of contintuity as disruption. With plenty of classic yorkshire views and history a plenty this is a great loop and day. The abbeys once extensive archives were largely destroyed after the dissolution, but the surviving latetwelfthcentury cartulary provides a fascinating insight into the. Reevoh is a small village and civil parish in rye dale within the north york moors national park near helmsley in north yorkshire, england and is located in what was the inner court of rievaulx abbey, close to the river rye. May 2, 2020 hidden in the deep river rye valley, the beautiful and tranquil abbey ruins reflect nearly one thousand years of spiritual, commercial and romantic history. She was a stranger in a strange land, with no one to bid her welcome, but t. Aelred was born in hexham, northumbria, in 1110, one of three sons of eilaf, priest of st andrews at. Advent calendar of medieval religious institutions december 1.
From its position it received the name of ryevale, or. The layout of the terrace with the emphasis on unfolding views rather than formal axes was a departure which has been described as a landmark in the development of english landscape style jellicoe et al 1986 and a superlative example of largescale landscape. From its position it received the name of ryevale, or rievaulx. Gules a crozier or erect between three water bougets argent.
The 10 best hotels near rievaulx abbey in helmsley, united. The north riding, 1966 legal this building is listed under the planning listed buildings and conservation areas act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest. Saint aelred of rievaulx cistercian monk britannica. Rievaulx abbey was one of the most prominent houses of white monks. Book your tickets online for rievaulx abbey, helmsley. It soon became one of the most famous centres of monasticism in britain and was home to a community of over 600 men in its heyday in the late 12th century. The first comprehensive history of northern englands most prominent cistercian foundation, rievaulx abbey. Synopsis this text studies the architecture of rievaulx abbey, viewing the buildings 800year history and the varying periods of construction and deconstruction as much in terms of contintuity as disruption. Their beautifully illustrated monograph not only reconstructs rievaulx s changing appearance from the twelfth to sixteenth centuries. Rievaulx, ruined cistercian abbey, ryedale district, administrative county of north yorkshire, historic county of yorkshire, england. The cistercian order was founded in 1098 in citeaux in what is now france. Discover the history of rievaulx abbey, from its foundation in 12 to its 20thcentury preservation. It was the first cistercian monastery in the north of england.
In 2014 simpson and brown were commissioned by english heritage to provide proposals for improvements to the visitor centre facility at rievaulx abbey, rievaulx village near york. The striking ruins of its main buildings are a tourist attraction, owned and maintained by. Rievaulx abbey english heritage guidebooks by peter fergusson 200708 paperback 2007. Jul 17, 2017 in our post about the rievaulx abbey estates in upper swaledale we ended by saying that we were keen to find a latin scholar to help us understand more about the abbey grants description of the estate. Rievaulx abbey english heritage guidebooks by peter fergusson 200708 peter fergusson on. Rievaulx abbey revised edition from english heritage. Aelred was born in hexham, northumbria, in 1110, 1 one of three sons of eilaf, priest of st andrews at hexham and himself a son of another eilaf, treasurer of durham. Situated in the beautiful and remote valley of the river rye, rievaulx abbey was founded.
Since its foundation in the 12th century, rievaulx abbey has witnessed the heights of monastic renown and the lows of decline and reformation, only to be reborn as a subject for romantic art. Rievaulx abbey was founded in 12 and was the first cistercian abbey in the north of england. Rievaulx abbey is a cistercian monastery, founded in 11 by walter espec in a secluded valley on the edge of the north york moors. He may have been partially educated by lawrence of durham, who sent him a. Spiritual friendship is today the best known and perhaps most influential of the thirteen surviving works of aelred, abbot of the great english cistercian abbey of rievaulx from 1147 1167. He is regarded by anglicans and catholics as a saint. As well as being a place of sanctity, the abbey was also an important political and economic player. Aelred of rievaulx and national identity, stuart mews ed. Rievaulx abbey english heritage guidebooks by peter fergusson. We recommend booking rievaulx abbey tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Rievaulx abbey was the foremost cistercian monastery in britain. His feast day is celebrated by the cistercians on february 3. Explore a selection of objects that give a unique insight into the workings of the medieval abbey.
Bernard from citeaux land near helmsley, in the valley of the rye, on the north side of which the monastery was built. It was one of the great abbeys in england until it was seized under henry viii of england in 1538 during the dissolution of the monasteries. The layout of the terrace with the emphasis on unfolding views rather than formal axes was a departure which has been described as a landmark in the development of english landscape style jellicoe et al 1986 and a superlative example of largescale landscape gardening pevsner 1966. A terrace laid out in c 1758 with views of the valley of the rye and the ruins of rievaulx abbey. See all 4 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Rievaulx abbey was founded in 12 by twelve monks from clairvaux abbey as a mission for the colonisation of the north of england and scotland. Many of the buildings still visible today date from this time. Rievaulx abbey, yorkshire historic yorkshire guide. Helmsley to rievaulx abbey walk north york moors, england. Rievaulx abbey and its social context, 120 medieval. The rediscovery of rievaulx abbey english heritage.
Apr 01, 2010 spiritual friendship is today the best known and perhaps most influential of the thirteen surviving works of aelred, abbot of the great english cistercian abbey of rievaulx from 1147 1167. In 1095, the council of claremont had forbidden the ordination of the sons of priests. Eerie pictures show monks visiting the ruins of vast yorkshire abbey 500 years after it was wrecked by henry viii. Rievaulx abbey summary print shows a distant view of the ruins of the rievaulx abbey from across the river rye. Community, architecture, memory the paul mellon centre for studies in british art. Coming out of the woods, we felt like we had stumbled into ancient briton. Rievaulx abbey was founded in north yorkshire in 12 by reforming cistercian monks. The population of the civil parish as taken at the 2011 census was less than 100. Rievaulx abbey english heritage guidebooks by peter fergusson 200708. Rievaulx being a cistercian abbey and so exempt from episcopal visitation, very little is known of its internal affairs or history.
In our post about the rievaulx abbey estates in upper swaledale we ended by saying that we were keen to find a latin scholar to help us understand more about the abbey grants description of the estate. This was done in part to end the inheritance of benefices. Books and journals rievaulx abbey rievaulx abbey pevsner, n, the buildings of england. The name rievaulx is a norman concoction, a misuse of rye vallis, or rye valley. Rievaulx abbey was one of the most prominent houses of white monks cistercians in england, and became in the course of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries an important feature of the ecclesiastical and social landscape of yorkshire. During his abbacy he built rievaulx into a place of spiritual welcome and physical prosperity, desiring to make it a mother of mercy to those in need.
We have now found that person in the shape of glynn coppack who has written many articles and books about the history of rievaulx abbey. It lies in the seclusion of a deep valley to which it has given its name, in the north york moors national park. Rievaulx terrace, rievaulx 1001072 historic england. The abbeys magnificent ruins are enduring evidence of the piety of its monks. Rievaulx abbey was signed away to the suppression commissioners on december 3, 1538, marking the end of its fourhundredyear existence. With plenty of classic yorkshire views and history a plenty this is a great loop and day out. Published for the paul mellon centre for studies in british art.
It quickly became one of the most powerful and spiritually renowned centres of monasticism in britain, housing a 650strong community at its peak in the 1160s under its most famous abbot, aelred. Advent calendar of medieval religious institutions. Rievaulx abbey, founded in 12, was the first cistercian abbey to be established in the north of england. The abbey s once extensive archives were largely destroyed after the dissolution, but the surviving latetwelfthcentury cartulary provides a fascinating insight into the. The picturesque ruins of rievaulx abbey in englands. The present work is the first indepth study devoted to rievaulx s social history. The new abbey one of the first cistercian houses to be. Aelred was born in hexham, northumbria, in 1110, one of three sons of eilaf, priest of st andrews at hexham, himself a son of another eilaf, treasurer of durham. This guide includes a tour and history of the site. In addition to the commonly cited cistercian texts see above, fergusson and harrison have at their disposal additional documents from, and related to, the rievaulx abbey. The abbey of rievaulx, the earliest cistercian monastery in the county, was founded in 11 by walter espec, who gave to certain of the monks sent to england about 1128 by st. Of noble birth, aelred was reared at the court of king david i of scotland, whose life.
The monastery was the mother church of the christianizing mission of st. Community, architecture, memory the paul mellon centre for studies in british art fergusson, peter, harrison, stuart on. Engraving of the ruins of rievaulx abbey from the west in 1721, by samuel. The aim of the proposals was to provide improved visitor facilities, an upgraded museum building to meet modern curatorial standards and improve staff facilities. Heritage sites in north yorkshire history of north yorkshire monasteries in north yorkshire. So we took the turn and drove through this incredible wooded dale. By peter fergusson and stuart harrison, with contributions from glyn coppack. Their beautifully illustrated monograph not only reconstructs rievaulxs changing appearance from the twelfth to sixteenth centuries. There is also a small museum, along with cafe and gift shop. We had just visited helmsley castle in north yorkshire and decided to take a little drive and saw a sign for rievaulx abbey pronounced reevo. That is until henry viii of england dissolved the cistercian abbeys in 1538. Now picturesque ruins, this former abbey was once one of the wealthiest monasteries in england.
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