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Byland Abbey: History
Byland Abbey: Buildings
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The maintenance of lands and rights The administration of the abbey’s estates could be complex, expensive and time-consuming. Like other religious communities, Byland had its fair share of problems maintaining its holdings and defending its interests. A particularly bitter disagreement emerged between Byland and its Cistercian neighbours at Fountains in the late twelfth century, regarding their mutual interests in Nidderdale. Both communities had acquired considerable holdings here, courtesy of Roger de Mowbray, and held Upper Nidderdale between them.(22) The dispute reached a climax in the 1220s over their respective rights to mine the Tankersley Ore. The General Chapter intervened, denounced their bickering as a disgrace to the Cistercian Order and appointed the abbots of Rievaulx, Furness and Beaulieu to resolve the dispute.(23)
Byland faced problems also from the heirs of its benefactors, who contested the abbey’s rights to land and resources granted by their predecessors. In the late twelfth century, Byland had to rise to the defence of its lands in Westmorland when Robert, son of Peter, challenged the community’s rights to common pasture between Bleatern and Warcop. Torphin of Warcop, the chief lord of the vill, was amongst those called upon to resolve the dispute. It was decided that Robert should retain eighty-two acres of land here, and the precise nature of rights of entry, exit and access to pasture was carefully delineated.(24) In the thirteenth century Byland’s patronal family, the Mowbrays, contested the abbey’s rights in Nidderdale. Roger de Mowbray’s grandson, William, sought to evict the monks from its lands here in 1204 but following the arbitration of the dean and treasurer of York, and upon the receipt of money, he withdrew his challenge. Later in the century, William’s grandson was similarly appeased with a cash payment and the gift of a horse.(25) |