Byland Abbey

Byland Abbey

Location within North Yorkshire
Monastery information
Order	Savigniac, Cistercian 1148
Established	1155
Disestablished	1538
Diocese	Diocese of York
People
Important associated figures	Abbot Roger, Roger de Mowbray
Site
Location	Byland, Coxwold, North Yorkshire, England
Coordinates	54°12′11″N 1°09′33″W / 54.2031°N 1.1592°W / 54.2031; -1.1592Coordinates: 54°12′11″N 1°09′33″W / 54.2031°N 1.1592°W / 54.2031; -1.1592
Visible remains	substantial
Public access	yes

Byland Abbey is a ruined abbey and a small village in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England, in the North York Moors National Park.

History

It was founded as a Savigniac abbey in January 1135 and was absorbed by the Cistercian order in 1147.^[1] It was not an easy start for the community who had had to move five times before settling at New Byland, near Coxwold in 1177.^[2]

Its early history was marked by disputes with no fewer than four other religious establishments: (Furness Abbey, Calder Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey and Newburgh Priory).^[3] However, once it had overcome this bad start, it was described in the late 14th century as "one of the three shining lights of the north".^[1] Its financial success was not as great as that of places like Rievaulx, but it was famed for its sheep rearing and wool exports. Its church was said to be among the finest 12th-century churches in Europe.^[4]

In October 1322, King Edward II was at Byland Abbey when the Battle of Old Byland took place. The marauding Scots caught Edward so unaware, that he fled to York leaving many precious items behind.^{[note 1][3][5][6]}

In the late 12th century the abbey had a compliment of 36 monks and 100 lay brothers, but by the time of the dissolution in November 1538, the abbey was host only to 25 monks and an abbot.^[7] In 1539, its site was granted to Sir William Pickering.^[8]

The site is now maintained by English Heritage^[9] and is scheduled as an ancient monument by Historic England with grade I listed status.^[10][11] In October 2017, the west frontage of the church, including the famed Rose Window, underwent extensive conservation work to repair water damage and to repoint the stone walls.^[12]

Description

Impressive remains can still be seen, in the care of English Heritage, including the lower half of a huge rose window which was the inspiration for the same window at York Minster.^[13][14] An interesting feature is the preservation of some of the brightly coloured medieval floor tiles. An altar table was also recovered, although that is now in Ampleforth, and a stone lectern base from the chapter house is the only example of its kind in Britain.^[15]

Burials

• Mabel de Clare, d. 1204 (daughter of Roger de Clare, 2nd Earl of Hertford), wife of Nigel de Mowbray
• Roger de Mowbray (Lord of Montbray) (though some uncertainty about his final resting place)
• William de Mowbray, 6th Baron of Thirsk, 4th Baron Mowbray
• Joan of Lancaster, third daughter of Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster

Gallery

• 
  Byland Abbey as depicted in The ruined abbeys of Yorkshire (1883)
• 
  Byland Abbey, May 2005
• 
  nave, the west
• 
  nave, the east
• 
  north transept
• 
  cloister
• 
  cloister and warming house
• 
  capital
• 
  capital
• 
  Byland Abbey in August 2013

See also

• Battle of Old Byland
• Wimund - English bishop, later turned pirate, was held here after his capture in the 12th century.

Notes

References

External links

• Media related to Byland Abbey at Wikimedia Commons
• Byland Abbey website history, building and lands.
• Official page: English Heritage