Jervaulx Abbey
Cistercian | |
Established | 1156 |
---|---|
Disestablished | 1537 |
Mother house | Byland Abbey |
Dedicated to | St Mary |
Diocese | York |
Controlled churches | Aysgarth, Ainderby Steeple, East Witton, West Witton[1] |
People | |
Founder(s) | Akarius fitz Bardolph |
Site | |
Location | East Witton, North Yorkshire, England |
Coordinates | 54°16′1″N 1°44′17″W / 54.26694°N 1.73806°W |
Grid reference | SE173855 |
Visible remains | Substantial |
Public access | Yes. Privately owned. |
Jervaulx Abbey in
The place name Jervaulx is first attested in 1145, where it appears as Jorvalle. The name is French for 'the Ure valley' and is perhaps a translation of the English 'Ure-dale', also known as Yoredale.[3] The valley is now called Wensleydale.
History
Initially a
Serlo, then Abbot of Savigny, disapproved of the foundation, since it had been made without his knowledge and consent. He refused to supply it with monks from his abbey because of the great difficulties experienced by those he had previously sent to England. Therefore in a general chapter he proposed that it be transferred to the Abbey of Belland (Byland), which was closer and would be able to provide the assistance required by the new foundation. Monks were sent from Byland and after they had undergone great hardships because of the meagreness of their endowment and sterility of their lands Conan, son of Alan, 1st Earl of Richmond, greatly increased their revenues and in 1156 moved their monastery to its better location in East Witton.[6] Here the monks erected a new church and monastery, which, like most of the Cistercian order, was dedicated to St Mary. At the height of its prosperity the abbey owned half of the valley and was renowned for breeding horses, a tradition that remains in Middleham to the present day. It was also the original home of Wensleydale cheese, originally made with ewes' milk.[7] In 1279 Abbot Philip of Jervaulx was murdered by one of his monks.[8] His successor, Abbot Thomas, was initially accused of the crime, but a jury later determined that he was not to blame, and another monk fled under outlawry.[9]
According to
Post Reformation
The pulpitum screen with part of the stalls can now be seen at St Andrew's Church, Aysgarth, and a window was reused at St Gregory's parish church in Bedale.[13]
As the monasteries kept people employed and from starving, the regional disturbances were occasioned by desperation, and, as the monastic system was not diocesan or provincial to make a swift transition within the nationalized episcopal system, there was no immediate resolution to tenant sufferings. Jervaulx, Byland and other Cistercian houses were as much attached to Savigny and
The standing remains of the abbey include part of the church and claustral buildings and a watermill.
Burials
- Akarius Fitz Bardolph[16][17]
- Hugh Fitzhugh, 2nd Baron FitzHugh[18][17]
- Henry FitzHugh, 3rd Baron FitzHugh and wife Elizabeth de Gray FitzHugh[18][17]
See also
References
- ^ "GENUKI: East Witton Parish information from Bulmers' 1890". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ Historic England. "Abbey Ruins (1130961)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- ISBN 0-19-869103-3.
- ^ Jecock 1999, p. 7.
- ^ "The Dales :: Fors Abbey-Askrigg". www.thedales.org.uk. Archived from the original on 10 November 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009.
- ^ "GENUKI: Jervaulx Abbey History". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
- ^ "A brief history of the rise and fall of Jervaulx Abbey". www.jervaulxabbey.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
- ^ "Cistercian Abbeys: Jervaulx". Cistercians.shef.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
- ^ "Isle of Albion: Jervaulx Abbey Picture Gallery". www.isleofalbion.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Jecock 1999, p. 8.
- ^ "Houses of Cistercian monks - Jervaulx". British History Online. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
- ^ Hope, W. H. S. J.; Brakspear, H. (1911). "Jervaulx Abbey". Yorkshire Archaeological Journal. 21: 303–344.
- ISSN 2043-0442.
- ^ Jecock 1999, p. 38.
- ^ "Yorkshire history Abbeys". www.yorkshirehistory.com. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
- OCLC 7319629.
- ^ OCLC 30194777.
- ^ OCLC 7319629.
Sources
- Jecock, Marcus (1999). Jervaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire (Report). English Heritage. OCLC 45435446.