Guidebook: Rievaulx Abbey

Rievaulx Abbey was founded in 1132 and was the first Cistercian abbey in the north of England. 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. Many of the buildings still visible today date from this time. After the Suppression in 1538 the abbey was closed and some of the buildings were dismantled. Some 200 years later, the ruins became part of the Duncombe Park estate and formed the focal point of a view from a specially built terrace, inspiring visits from writers and artists such as William Wordsworth and JMW Turner. Published to coincide with the opening of a new museum display and interpretation scheme, this revised edition of the guidebook includes new features on Abbot Aelred, the abbey’s library, the sacking of Rievaulx in 1322, Abbot John Burton and the Suppression inventories, shedding new light on Rievaulx’s history. The guidebook is illustrated with specially commissioned photography, brand new reconstruction drawings and a new selection of historical images. Key Features: Revised edition, published May 2016 Softback Illustrated with specially commissioned photography 48 pages