Roche Abbey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roche Abbey |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Abbey |
| Location | Rotherham, South Yorkshire |
| Governing body | English Heritage |
| Owner | Private |
| Official name: Roche Abbey Cistercian monastery, including monastic precinct, gatehouse and 18th century landscape garden | |
| Designated | 8 February 1911 |
| Reference no. | 1019059 |
| Official name: Sandbeck Park and Roche Abbey | |
| Type | Grade II* |
| Designated | 1 June 1984 |
| Reference no. | 1001161 |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Roche Abbey is a really old, ruined abbey in South Yorkshire, England. It's located in the beautiful valley of Maltby Dyke. This historic site is now looked after by English Heritage. It's recognized as a special scheduled monument and a Grade II* listed site.
The Abbey's Early Days
How Roche Abbey Began
Roche Abbey was started in 1147. The first stone buildings were built on the north side of the Maltby Beck stream. Two men, Richard de Busli and Richard FitzTurgis, helped set it up. Monks from Newminster Abbey in Northumberland came to this spot. They chose the best side of the stream to build their new Cistercian monastery.
Building the Great Church
About 25 years later, the main church was finished. It was a grand Norman Gothic style church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Most of the other abbey buildings were also completed by then. The de Vesci family, who were important lords in Rotherham, oversaw the abbey. They gave the land to Richard FitzTurgis.
Life at the Abbey
The Cistercian monks were known as "White Monks." Roche Abbey felt very peaceful and separate from the world. It was even said that the legendary Robin Hood sometimes attended Mass here! At its busiest, the abbey was home to about 175 men. Around 60 of these were choir monks, and the rest were lay brothers. Lay brothers were a new idea for Cistercian monasteries.
Who Owned the Abbey?
After Richard FitzTurgis passed away, his son Roger took control. Later, it went to Roger's granddaughter, Constantia. She married William de Livet, whose family owned the nearby village of Hooton Levitt. The Levett family continued to control the abbey until 1377. Then, John Levett sold his rights to a London merchant named Richard Barry. By the time the monasteries were closed down, Henry Clifford, 2nd Earl of Cumberland, had full control. He was related to King Henry VIII and gained many properties during that time.
The Abbey's Destruction
Why Roche Abbey Was Ruined
Sadly, many of Roche Abbey's records were lost. We know that in 1538, there were 14 monks and some novices living there. On June 23, 1538, King Henry VIII ordered the closure of all monasteries. This event led to Roche Abbey being destroyed. Even though it's a ruin, the remaining walls of the north and south transepts are still impressive.
What Happened During the Destruction
The local people felt they had a right to the abbey's possessions. A very detailed story tells of the terrible damage done to the abbey and its valuable items. Wood, lead, and stone were taken away in huge amounts.
A priest named Michael Sherbrook, who lived nearby, saw the destruction. He wrote about what he saw: "The church was the first thing that was spoiled." He described how the abbot's home, the sleeping areas, the dining hall, and the cloister were all ruined. "Nothing was spared," he wrote, "except the animal shelters outside the walls."
A Sad Account of the Pillaging
Sherbrook wrote that this destruction happened because of Thomas Cromwell, a powerful figure in King Henry VIII's government. He said it would make anyone sad to see the lead being ripped off and the wooden beams thrown down. Even the tombs of important noblemen and women were broken open. All valuable things were stolen or damaged. The seats where the monks sat during services were also burned.
Sherbrook noted that even though there was plenty of wood nearby, the lead was melted down. People stole pewter dishes and hid them in the rocks. He found it strange that people who had respected the monks' worship just two days before were now so eager to steal. He wondered how they could think it was God's house one day and the Devil's house the next.
Bringing the Abbey Back to Life
After being left in ruins, the land changed hands many times. Then, the 4th Earl of Scarbrough decided to restore it. He wanted it to look good next to his family home, Sandbeck Park. He hired a famous landscape designer named Capability Brown. Brown, surprisingly, didn't care much for history. He tore down buildings, built large earth mounds, and covered the whole site with grass.
For a long time, Roche Abbey remained hidden under Brown's work. But in the 1920s, new excavations uncovered the abbey's original beauty.
Roche Abbey Today
Visiting the Ruins
Today, English Heritage looks after the site. You can walk along a cliff path to get a great view of the abbey grounds. From there, you can see the layout of the old buildings. Many of the buildings are now low walls, but parts of the church still stand tall. You can still see the beautiful Gothic French style in its design.
Clever Monk Inventions
Later, a kitchen and the abbot's living quarters were added. These were built on the other side of the stream and could be reached by a bridge, which is still there. The monks were very clever with their plumbing! Their latrines (toilets) were built over Maltby Beck. The running water would carry away the waste. They even dammed the stream higher up to make sure the water flowed fast. This was a very modern system for the 13th century!
Local Legends
There are several local legends about Roche Abbey. Some people talk about ghosts haunting the ruins. Others believe there are secret tunnels leading to other buildings. There's even a story about a lost wishing well somewhere on the grounds.
Burials at the Abbey
The main part of the church, called the nave, was where the lay brothers were buried. Other people from outside the abbey community were also buried here. These included Peryn of Doncaster and his wife, Ysabel. There is also a tomb from the 14th-century Rilston family, who were likely important local people.
