Name: Easby Abbey
Rating: 5.0

Easby Abbey

Easby Mews, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 7EU, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Easby Abbey, The impressive ruins of Easby Abbey lie in picturesque surroundings by the River Swale in North Yorkshire. Easby is one of the best preserved monasteries of the Premonstratensian 'white canons', with the magnificent refectory, gatehouse and canons' dormitory remaining. The parish church within the precinct, which is still in use, contains rare 13th century wall paintings.

Founded in 1152, Easby Abbey was suppressed in 1536 and within two years most of its buildings had been stripped and demolished. The ruins later became a favourite subject for artists, including JMW Turner.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

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Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Easby Abbey: Easby Abbey is one of the best-preserved monasteries in Britain of the Premonstratensian order. It was founded in about 1152 by Roald, constable of Richmond, and later enjoyed the patronage of the Scrope family. After its suppression in 1536 the buildings rapidly lapsed into ruin, before becoming an object of interest for antiquarians and Romantic artists in the 18th and 19th centuries. The grandeur of the surviving buildings testifies to the success and wealth of the abbey.
Before the Abbey: Easby Abbey lies about 1.5 miles south of Richmond, North Yorkshire. The hamlet of Easby is listed in the Domesday survey of 1086 as ‘Asebi’, which was held by Enisan Murdac, an important local landowner. Murdac was a vassal of Alan le Roux or ‘the Red’, Earl of Richmond (c 1040–1093).
Evidence suggests that a religious community of some sort existed on the site before the abbey was founded. This was probably based on the existing parish church of St Agatha, and may have been an Anglian minster, a community of priests responsible for serving the surrounding parishes.
Foundation of Easby Abbey: The abbey of St Agatha at Easby was founded in about 1152 by Roald (d.1158), constable or principal officer of Richmond . Roald’s identity is unclear, but it has been suggested that he was the younger son of Hacuil, or Hasculf, de St James, lord of Tansor in Northamptonshire and of estates in Oxfordshire.
The Early Monastery: Roald granted a modest new endowment of land to Easby, in addition to the assets of the existing minster community. Easby’s endowment rose slowly over the centuries, traced in over 100 charters contained in its cartulary.[6] The abbey owned flocks of sheep from a very early stage, and sheep farming seems to have been one of its main means of support.
The Scropes of Bolton: Roald’s descendants continued to hold the constableship of Richmond with the lands attached to it through the 12th and 13th centuries, variously styling themselves de Burton or de Richmond. In the late 13th and 14th centuries, for unknown reasons, they sold up their estates in stages.
The Later Middle Ages: In 1392, following a grant of land by Sir Richard Scrope (c 1327–1403), Easby was substantially enlarged. In return, the community was to support 10 additional canons, two chaplains and 22 poor men.
Suppression of Easby Abbey: When Easby was closed in 1536 as part of the Suppression of the Monasteries, the community had dwindled to just 11 canons. The abbey and its lands were let to Lord Scrope of Bolton for £300.
After the Suppression: By 1538 most of the buildings had been stripped of their lead roofing and partly demolished. It seems surprising that the Scropes should have agreed to, or actually ordered, the demolition of the church, which was their family’s burial place. It is possible that the church was destroyed by royal order to prevent the monks from returning again.

Facilities

Parking: The car park is signposted and is off the B6271. The abbey is next to the car park. Please consider donating £1 or £2 to St Agatha's Church.
Food & Drinks: Richmond town has public toilets and a range of places to eat and drink.
Toilets: Nearby Richmond Castle has a shop and toilets - It is around a 1.5 mile walk from Easby.
Dogs: Dogs on leads are welcome.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/easby-abbey/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 17:00.
Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00.

Address: Easby Mews, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 7EU, UK

Post Code: DL10 7EU

Council: North Yorkshire

County: North Yorkshire

Road Access: 1 mile south-east of Richmond, off B6271.
Bus Access: Dales & District X34, 55; Esk Valley 27 (Wed only)
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: The car park is signposted and is off the B6271. The abbey is next to the car park. Please consider donating £1 or £2 to St Agatha's Church.