Nestling in a steep sided valley in the North York Moors, some 25-30 miles north of York lies the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey.
Rievaulx Abbey was founded in 1132 by twelve monks from Clairvaux Abbey as a mission for the colonisation of the north of England and Scotland. It was the first Cistercian abbey in the north. With time it became one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Yorkshire, second only to Fountains Abbey in fame.
Its remote location was ideal for the Cistercians, whose desire was to follow a strict life of prayer and self-sufficiency with little contact with the outside world.
By the 15th century the Cistercian practices of strict observance according Saint Benedict's rule had been abandoned in favour of a more comfortable lifestyle. The monks were permitted to eat meat and more private living accommodation was created for them, and the abbot had a substantial private household.
The abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1538. At that time there were reported to be 72 buildings occupied by an abbot and 21 monks, attended by 102 servants, with an income of £351 a year. Henry ordered the buildings to be rendered uninhabitable and stripped of valuables such as lead. The site was granted to the Earl of Rutland, one of Henry's advisers, until it passed to the Duncombe family.
Today it is in the care of English Heritage and is a beautiful place for a day out. There is a very pleasant walk along the valley of the River Rye from the abbey to Helmsley.
This shot shows the choir and presbytery of the abbey church.
Thank you Lee, it is a lovely place to visit. There is a lovely walk from Rievaulx into Helmsley, where there is an interesting castle to visit as well.
Thank you Therese - you're right, it must once have been magnificent: It's very impressive in it's current state.
Ian
Thank you Cathrine, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Cathie - it does have a fascinating past.
Ian
Thank you Lee, it is a lovely place to visit. There is a lovely walk from Rievaulx into Helmsley, where there is an interesting castle to visit as well.
Ian
Thank you Ferry - I love discovering the history of these lovely old ruins.
Ian
Thank you Brian, I had a fascinating day exploring this abbey and the nearby castle at Helmsley.
Ian
Thank you Molly - I was very fortunate with the lighting here. This was taken quite soon after I arrived, and those nice shadows soon disappeared.
Ian
Thank you Bruni - it is a fascinating building in a lovely setting.
Ian
Thank you Colie, glad you like it.
Ian
Thank you Kathy - nice to hear from you again. I'm very impressed by the amount of time and effort you've put into your catch up!
Ian