|
You are here:
The foundation of Kirkstall: from Barnoldswick
to Kirkstall
(1/3)
The first foundation
The community of Kirkstall had its origins in
1147. This was the Golden Year of the Cistercian Order in Europe and
the highpoint of its expansion in Britain. It was also a time of
uncertainty and unrest in England because of the civil war of Stephens
reign (1135-54). Henry de Lacy, baron of Pontefract, set the wheels
in motion for the foundation of Kirkstall. Henry was one of the
leading landholders in the North and the most significant in the
West Riding of Yorkshire.(1) The Foundation
History of Kirkstall describes one occasion when Henry fell
gravely ill and promised that should he recover, he would found
a religious house. After he regained his strength Henry kept his
promise and gave land in Barnoldswick, near Skipton, to Fountains
Abbey, for them to establish a daughter-house. In May 1147 Alexander
(left), prior of Fountains, was sent to Barnoldswick to lead a community
of twelve monks and ten lay-brothers,
all from Fountains. At that time the house was known as the Mount
of St Mary. Fountains maintained strong ties with its daughter-house
and throughout Kirkstalls history provided a number of abbots
for the community.(2)
The arrival of the White Monks at Barnoldswick
had a dramatic impact on the local population. There was already
a parish church at Barnoldswick where the locals used to gather
on Sundays and feast days. Their presence here interfered with the
monks desire to live in solitude, so the abbot, with
some want of consideration, tore down their church. Not surprisingly
his actions provoked an outrage amongst the inhabitants. As the
chronicler of the house explains, no small controversy arose
concerning such an unusual and highhanded proceeding(3)
and the community found itself facing charges in court. At the popes
intervention the case was decided in the monks favour, since
it was reasoned a pious act for a church to fall and an abbey to
rise. Whilst peace was ostensibly restored, the natives undoubtedly
regretted the day that the Cistercians had arrived in their neighbourhood.
<back> <next>
|