Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire, England by myrrhluz
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Description
"Rievaulx was one of the first Cistercian abbeys to be founded in England. Surrounded by a massive agricultural and industrial estate, staffed by lay brothers, it was intended as the focus of a substantial family of daughter houses throughout northern Britain. Suppressed in 1538, the existing monastic ironworks was developed by new owners, the earls of Rutland. Incorporated into the parkland of Duncombe Park, the shattered abbey ruins became a popular subject for Romantic artists in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Rievaulx is not one monastery but four. Each rebuilding of the abbey was designed to reflect the ideas then current about the Cistercian monastic life, and each was related to a stage in the monastery's economic and spiritual development. The abbey's post-suppression history is equally complex, reflecting changing views of the medieval past.
The earliest buildings consisted of temporary timber structures, provided by the founder, Walter Espec, lord of Helmsley, in 1131-2, to the instructions of a senior monk from the mother abbey at Clairvaux, in northeastern France. These provide basic accommodation and a place of worship until enough resources had been assembled to start building in stone. These early temporary buildings have not been excavated, but one, believed to be the church, has been traced by geophysical survey on the northern side of the surviving cloister.
Building in stone began under William, the first abbot (1132-1145) probably after 1135/6. . .
Although almost all of Rievaulx's buildings date to the 12th and early 13th centuries, they were remodelled again from the later 14th century to suit changing patterns of religious life.
Rievaulx Abbey was suppressed in January 1538, and sold to the earl of Rutland in December of that year. His steward has left remarkably detailed accounts of the stripping and demolition of the abbey throughout 1538-9.
Rutland kept the abbey's mills functioning, first under their monastic tenant, and then under his own, developing a substantial iron industry that continued into the mid 17th century.
Rievaulx's more recent history concerns its development as a monument in the landscape that appealed to changing artistic and cultural tastes from the mid 18th century to the First World War, after which it began to be conserved for the first time for public display."
Information is quoted from Rievaulx Abbey | English Heritage Site
I took out headings and some information on the expansion of the buildings.
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Comments (35)
ia-du-lin
great view, beautiful ruin foto
wysiwig
What a lovely setting. I can see where your interest in English history comes from. Such a fascinating story. The abbey is obviously in ruins but the walls appear to be intact. Don't see that very often. Superb composition.
0rest4wicked
Well isn't this something, and a great narrative!
SidheRoseGraphics
This is an outstanding photo! Gorgeous colors and atmosphere. Thank you for the background, too.
durleybeachbum
What a marvellous shot! I have passed this place at 'ground level' but only on a coach which didn't stop.
jayfar
This is a super shot Lucinda and what a lot of info!! Looks a really nice place to explore.
helanker
WOW What a view. Must have been far away. Love the different of colors the far distance has compared to the closer distance :-)
rainbows
Beautiful, dear Lucinda. Nicely framed by the trees. Hugs. Di. xx
anianiani
wow..wow...wow.... No Words My Dear Friend... Love Ani
jendellas
Great to see the abbey from on high, thanks for the info, may have to visit now!!!
magnus073
First of all let me apologize for being so late to comment Lucinda, as this one must have been posted right as I was heading to bed. What an epic looking pic this is, it really shows off all that this beautiful Abbey has to offer. Honestly can't imagine anyone finding a better pov to capture it, so you should be so proud. Very much enjoyed the rich history you included also that helped bring it to life once more.
Faemike55
Cool image with a great POV and fascinating history
dochtersions
A fantastic historical shot, also the landscape (seeing the Dandelions ;-)). Zoom is a must :). Great mood is going out from it, and the story is telling a lot about those four abbeys. A perfect image, harmoniously in format to each other (the trees, houses, and surroundings). I really would like to live there, its peacefully looking too. Bravo, Lucinda.
psyoshida
What an incredible shot!! It has to be the perfect location to see this from. I love the way the trees frame the picture and the grass with a few leaves floating about. Beautiful! Thank you also for the most interesting history. Hard to get the mind around those kinds of dates. We forget how young our own history is.
flavia49
wonderful vista
annie5
Superb view and capture! Thanks for the info :)
mariogiannecchini
Fantastic shot , great colors and light ! Splendid capture and very intersting info !
Lashia
Wow beautiful view of this amazing historical architecture. Love this POV- thanks for sharing! :) And have you checked out the Photography Story Challenge? Go continue the story!
sandra46
AMAZING IMAGE!
Minda
This is OUTSTANDING shot lucinda..
npauling
A lovely capture and information on this super old ruin and I love how you have framed it with the trees and the daffodils. How beautiful it must have looked when it was first built.
goodoleboy
Outstanding color contrast, textures and framing in this stellar shot of the Dracula-like ruins, Lucinda.
mgtcs
Exquisite capture and place Lucinda, spectacular colors, amazing historical photo, marvelous description, thank you very much for sharing my dear friend! Well done!
vaggabondd
what a beautiful shot and place, I would have loved to seen her in her glory days. beautiful
clbsmiley
Marvelous my friend !! I really like the way you captured this. :) Romantic and Dreamy !! Like a painting.
jocko500
lot of his here , cool image too
drifterlee
Beautiful work!!!!!
mickeyrony
I like the color blue who creates all the atmosphere like. An excellent shooting ((5 + +)) J'aime bien la couleur bleutée qui y génère toute l'ambiance comme . Une prise de vue excellente ((5++))
SIGMAWORLD
Sehr schön.
Madbat
Leave it to me to see a lovely historical setting like this and think: 'That's a hell of a hill to fall down! At least you could get last rights by the time you got to the bottom!' Personally, I blame an overly adventurous childhood for that remark.