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Kirkstall Abbey: the precinct
Kirkstall is one of the most complete sets of
Cistercian ruins in the country. Following the surrender of the
abbey in 1539 most of the buildings remained standing and the site
did not suffer the destruction and plundering that occurred elsewhere,
such as at Roche. Over the
years, however, neglect, weathering and the growth of vegetation
led to the partial collapse of the crossing tower in 1779 and the
southern part of the dormitory in 1886. From the late eighteenth
century the main thoroughfare to Leeds actually ran through the
nave of the church; in 1827 the road was redirected and still bisects
the site.
The precinct at Kirkstall covered some forty
acres and was bounded on the north, west and east by a stone wall,
parts of which remain to the SE of the abbey; the River Aire formed
a natural boundary on the south side. Entrance to the site was
restricted and access was via the great gatehouse that stood to
the north of the abbey, but which no longer survives. From here
a lane ran some 300 metres to the inner gatehouse that now houses
the abbey museum.
A Cistercian abbey was a self-sufficient unit,
and although agricultural and industrial work was carried out beyond
the precinct, there was much activity within the abbey walls. The
outer court in particular was a hive of industry. Situated to the
north and west of the site it housed most of the abbeys workshops
and farm buildings. More domestic buildings such as the bakehouse
and brewhouse, as well as the guesthouse, were located in the inner
court, which stood to the north and east of the church. Two cobbled
roads crossed the western side of the inner court. One road ran
from the abbey to the outer court and probably led to the granaries
and a malt house; recent excavations show that it was heavily patched
and used by wagons and carts. Excavation reveals that the second
road, which ran from the inner gatehouse to the church, was finely
cobbled with no evidence of wheel marks. This was probably used
by pedestrians and horses.
The church and cloister stood at the heart of
the precinct, sheltered from noise and activity. This area was
essentially restricted to the monks and it was here that the buildings
necessary for their daily life were situated, principally, the
church, chapter-house, dormitory and refectory. The monks could
access all these buildings without leaving the cloister.
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