Rievaulx Abbey

Cathedral at Rievaulx Abbey

We took a weekend drive through the town of Thirsk, a town mentioned several times in Downton Abbey and the setting for the All Creatures Great and Small books (and subsequent TV show) to arrive at Rievaulx (pronounced REE-VO) Abbey. Yet another Catholic abbey established by French monks, and torn down by Henry VIII hundreds of years later. 

Cathedral's Windowless Windows (and roofless roof)

We picked a beautiful autumn day, but as you scroll through the photos you'll notice the blue sky trades places with the "England Grey" several times during our visit. 

Rievaulx Cathedral's Nave

Two Abbots (head monk) from Rievaulx have become saints since their death, Saint William and Saint Ælred. They were both buried at Rievaulx, but I could only find the shrine to Saint William. A friend and former publishing co-worker of mine left the secular life several years ago to follow his heart and is now an ordained monk. He has since been re-named Ælred, in honor of his patron Saint, Saint Ælred. Saint Ælred was a writer of history and spirituality during his life, and was the Abbot of Rievaulx from 1147 until his death in 1167. 

Saint William's Shrine

Much like Fountain Abbey, there is still quite a bit of foundation in tact, outlining the various buildings that made up the once-thriving abbey. They had a kitchen, dormitory, library, cloisters, hospital, etc. Abbeys were self-sufficient entities that would typically make their own food, clothing, and tend to their sick. The monks would also help the local populations in a tangible as well as religious capacity. During the black plague, many clergy died because they took care of the ill and preformed last rights on the dying and caught the disease more often than not.

Building at Rievaulx, Perhaps the Hospital

Much of North Yorkshire is still made up of simply stunning rolling hills. You can see from the picture below that the setting around Rievaulx Abbey has probably not changed much since its heyday. And you can see Bill taking a photo of a building that must have been just to my left. 

North Yorkshire Countryside