In 1132, a group of 12 monks from Clairvaux in Burgundy founded the first monastery of their order in the North of England – Rievaulx Abbey. Its patron was Walter Espec, lord of nearby Helmsley Castle, who gifted approximately 1000 acres of land to the order. The popularity of the reforming Cistercian order ensured that the Abbey grew quickly, with the number of men residing there rising to 650 by the 1160s.
Aelred of Rievaulx
Under the stewardship of the renowned religious figure, Aelred, abbot between 1147 and 1167, the Abbey’s importance increased and it served as the Order’s strategic outpost for dissemination of the Cistercian creed throughout the north of England and Scotland.
It was during his tenure that the construction of the monastic church, the remains of which can be seen today, was begun. The scale of the building was impressive, designed as it was to house the entire community. In colour too, the building would have dominated the valley – its plastered and limewashed stone serving to emphasise the purity of the order.
Rievaulx's Saints
The Abbey buildings were, for the most part, constructed of sandstone, with many of the major buildings dating from the period of Aelred’s abbacy, when the Order reached the peak of its success. Many display the architectural knowledge that Aelred accumulated during his extensive periods of travel. Following his death, in January 1167, Aelred was buried alongside his predecessor, Rievaulx’s founder Abbot William. Like Abbot William, Aelred of Rievaulx attained the status of ‘beatus’ or blessed and was widely venerated.
In the 1220s the cult of Aelred had grown to such an extent that a major building project was undertaken to enlarge the church in order to accommodate Aelred’s shrine. Although no longer as successful as it had been during the 12th century, Rievaulx remained a prominent house.
Black Death and Warfare
Later, a number of factors contributed to the decline of Rievaulx’s fortunes. Outbreaks of disease, which effected the Abbey’s sheep, led to economic disaster and bankruptcy. Edward I’s intervention saved the house, although the community was temporarily dispersed, reforming with far fewer lay brothers than previously. In 1322, the Scots ransacked the Abbey following the defeat of the English army at the Battle of Byland. The later 14th century was characterised by a further decline in numbers as a result of the Black Death and labour shortages.
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The economic fortunes of Rievaulx partially revived with the introduction of tenancies, whereby the Abbey’s lands were rented out to farmers. However, it was to be a brief reversal of fortune. In 1532, Henry VIII had himself declared Supreme Head of the Church in England. It was the start of the process which was to lead to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1536, those monastic houses with an income of below £200 were suppressed. The economic hardship and spiritual fallout from this, led to a major rebellion in the North of England, the Pilgrimage of Grace. In spite, or perhaps because, of this, Henry continued with his program of ‘reform’, turning to the larger monastic houses. This included Rievaulx, which was surrendered to the Crown in December 1538.
Sold to Thomas Manners, Earl of Rutland, the process of dismantling the Abbey was conducted carefully, unlike the ‘raping’ of the monasteries which occurred elsewhere. Inventories record the deconstruction of the Abbey’s buildings and the disposal of materials. Originally continuing to farm the lands, Rutland later turned the lands over to industrial use and iron production, though this too ceased some years later. In the 1750s a terraced walk was constructed on the ridge overlooking the valley and, in the best traditions of the day, carefully constructed views were created.
In the 20th century, the architectural importance of Rievaulx was starting to be appreciated. However, the cost of repairs to the ruins proved prohibitve for the then owner and the remains were transferred to the care of the state. Under state ownership, the ruins of the magnificent church were saved and further discoveries to illuminate Cistercian life in the valley have been made.
Sources:
P. Ferguson, G. Coppack & S. Harrison - Rievaulx Abbey (English Heriatge, 2008)
A. Squire - Aelred of Rievaulx, A Study (Cistercian Publications, 1994)
The Cistercians in Yorkshire - A Study from Sheffield University
