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Byland Abbey: History
Byland Abbey: Buildings
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Byland Abbey: Lands
The Cistercians sought to live simply by the
fruits of their own labour and in order to sustain a self-sufficient
community each abbey required a variety of possessions, including
arable and pastoral land, woodland, mills, fisheries and mineral
rights. On its foundation, every religious house was endowed with
the resources necessary to provide for the community. The monks
had then to acquire additional lands and rights to support the
abbey’s growth. Byland was originally founded as a Savigniac community and provided for by its founder, Roger
de Mowbray and
his network of family, friends and retainers. In 1147, following
the Savigniacs absorption by the Cistercian Order, the monks of
Byland became part of this highly-renowned family. The Byland community had a difficult start and moved to several
locations before eventually settling at the present site of New
Byland. Yet, despite their problematic beginnings the monks accumulated
lands and resources at an impressive rate, and successfully established
a solid economic framework. Byland benefited particularly well
from the patronage of its founder, Roger de Mowbray, and acquired
lands and resources in the immediate vicinity of the abbey and
also the Nidderdale region. Throughout the twelfth century the
community developed interests further afield in Westmorland (Cumbria)
and Teeside. (1) |
