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TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
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    This day in history
  • People
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    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emporers of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Rievaulx Abbey
Location
Location
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Rievaulx Abbey

 County

North Yorkshire (11 castles) 

 Categories

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location54.25743,-1.115792 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

North Yorkshire (11 castles) 

 Categories

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
54.25743,-1.115792
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
ievaulx Abbey was founded in 1131 as the first Cistercian abbey in the north of England. It was a daughter house of the French abbey at Clairvaux. The first abbot was William and he and his twelve monks were granted land by Walter l'Espec. Very soon after its foundation, Rievaulx was sending out new missions to set up new abbeys at Melsore, Warden, Dundrennan and Revesby. The abbey was built on the side of the river Rye. Land on the other side of the river was owned by Roger de Mowbray, and he donated his lands to the order of monks know as the Savigniacs. The Savigniacs built their abbey and called in Byland. The closeness of a second abbey became a problem because each could hear each others bells and so the Byland group relocated their site. The course of the river meant that the amount of land that Rievaulx had in the valley was limited, and so with an agreement with Byland, a new channel was cut and the river was diverted. Normally abbeys are built on an east-west axis, but at Rievaulx restrictions meant that the main axis of the church is almost north-south. Rievaulx Abbey is now in the care of English Heritage and is open to the public.

Location

See Also

People

  • Aelred (of Rievaulx)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Places

  • Revesby Abbey
  • Byland Abbey
  • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

Related Information

  • Timeline of abbey foundations
  • The origin of monasteries
  • The Cisterian order of monks

Related Maps

  • Map of Abbeys

Location Map (click to explore)

Timeline

1131
...
Rievaulx Abbey founded

The Cistercian abbey of Rievaulx was founded.

1142
...
Dundrennan Abbey founded

David I, King of the Scots may have been involved in the foundation of this Cistercian abbey in Scotland. The founding monks probably came from Rievaulx.

1143
...
Revesby Abbey founded

A new Cistercian abbey at Revesby was founded by monks from Rievaulx in this year. The abbey was founded by William de Roumare I, earl of Lincoln and the first abbot was Ailred, who moved back to Rievaulx in 1146 to become the head of that abbey.

1230
...
Rievaulx Abbey rebuilding work

Rebuilding work commenced at Rievaulx Abbey.

1322
Oct
Edward almost captured

After returning from Scotland, Edward and Queen Isabella rested at Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire. The Scots were still nearby and met the English army led by the Earl of Richmond near Old Byland. The Scots defeated the English army and Edward had to flee to escape capture. Isabella too escaped.

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. Various, The Cistercian Abbeys of Britain, 1998, ISBN:0-7134-8392-X
  • 2. Caroline Bingham, The Life and Times of Edward II

    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Aelred (of Rievaulx)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Places

    • Revesby Abbey
    • Byland Abbey
    • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

    Related Information

    • Timeline of abbey foundations
    • The origin of monasteries
    • The Cisterian order of monks

    Related Maps

    • Map of Abbeys

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