Whitby Abbey facts for kids
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| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Benedictine |
| Established | 657 AD |
| Disestablished | 1538 |
| Diocese | Diocese of York |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | 1. Oswiu 2. Prior Reinfrid |
| Site | |
| Location | Whitby, North Yorkshire, England |
| Coordinates | 54°29′20″N 0°36′29″W / 54.489°N 0.608°W |
| Visible remains | substantial |
| Public access | yes |
Whitby Abbey was a famous Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey. It stood high on a cliff overlooking the North Sea in Whitby, North Yorkshire, England. This area was once a very important part of the medieval Northumbrian kingdom. The abbey and its lands were taken by King Henry VIII during a time called the dissolution of the monasteries between 1536 and 1545.
Since then, the beautiful ruins of the abbey have been a helpful landmark for sailors. Today, these impressive ruins are a Grade I Listed building and are cared for by English Heritage. Visitors can learn more about the abbey's history at the site museum, which is located in Cholmley House, a building from the 17th century.
Whitby Abbey: A Historic English Ruin
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The Abbey's Ancient Beginnings
The first monastery was founded in 657 AD by King Oswy of Northumbria. He called it Streoneshalh, which was the old name for Whitby. King Oswy chose a very important woman named Lady Hilda to be the first abbess. Lady Hilda was already a respected leader at another abbey.
At Streoneshalh, both monks and nuns lived and studied together. It was home to a famous Northumbrian poet named Cædmon, who lived from 614 to 680. He was known for his beautiful poems about religious stories.
The Important Synod of Whitby
In 664, a very important meeting called the Synod of Whitby took place at the monastery. Church leaders met to decide how to calculate the date of Easter. They also discussed what kind of tonsure (haircut) priests and monks should have. King Oswy supported the decision to follow the Roman way of calculating Easter, which was used in other parts of England.
Sadly, between 867 and 870, Viking raiders attacked and destroyed the monastery. It lay in ruins for more than 200 years. Later, around 1086, there were signs that religious life might have started again in some small way.
Rebuilding and Later History
After many years, a soldier named Reinfrid, who became a monk, decided to rebuild the monastery. This was around the time of William the Conqueror. He received land from William de Percy, a powerful baron. Reinfrid and his brother, Serlo de Percy, started a new monastery following the Benedictine rule. This meant they lived by a specific set of rules for monks.
The new Benedictine abbey grew and became a center for learning for hundreds of years. However, in 1540, King Henry VIII ordered the closure of many monasteries in England. This event is known as the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Whitby Abbey was destroyed again during this time.
The Abbey's Destruction and Modern Care
After its destruction, Sir Richard Cholmley bought the abbey. His family and their descendants owned the ruins for a long time. In 1920, the Strickland family gave the ruins to the UK government. Today, English Heritage looks after these historic ruins.
Whitby Abbey During Wartime
Whitby Abbey also saw action during World War I. In December 1914, German warships attacked the coast. The abbey buildings were damaged during this ten-minute attack. Scarborough and Hartlepool were also attacked during this event.
Symbols and Stories of Whitby Abbey
The Abbey's Unique Coat of Arms
The abbey had its own special symbol, or coat of arms. It showed three coiled snakes, which looked like "snake-stones." These "snake-stones" are actually ammonite fossils found in the area, but people imagined them with serpents' heads! The shield was blue with red snakes. Above the shield, there was a golden mitre (a bishop's hat) and a crosier (a staff carried by bishops).
Whitby Abbey and the Legend of Dracula
Whitby Abbey is famous for its connection to the classic horror novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. In the story, Count Dracula arrives in England at Whitby. He appears as a large dog-like creature that runs up the 199 steps to the graveyard of St Mary's Church, right next to the abbey ruins.
The novel's character, Mina Harker, describes the abbey in her diary. She mentions its huge size and beautiful, romantic look. There's even a legend that a "white lady" ghost is sometimes seen in one of the windows! This connection makes Whitby Abbey a popular spot for fans of the book.
Important People Buried Here
Many important people were buried at Whitby Abbey, including:
- Hilda of Whitby
- Bosa of York
- Edwin of Deira, a king and saint
- Oswiu of Northumbria, a king
- Eahlfrith, King Oswiu's widow and an abbess of Whitby
- Ælfflæd of Whitby, daughter of Oswiu and Eanflæd, also an abbess
- Joscelin of Louvain
- Sir William de Percy, 1st Baron Percy (died around 1096), a Norman baron and Crusader
- Sir Richard de Percy, 5th Baron Percy (1166–1243), who signed the Magna Carta
Gallery
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Whitby Abbey
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Plan of Whitby Abbey showing the various periods of building
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Whitby Abbey at sunset
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The west front of the abbey is typical 14th century with lancett windows.
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The Bombardment of Whitby, 16 December 1914, by William Scott Hodgson.
See also
In Spanish: Abadía de Whitby para niños
- Grade I listed buildings in North Yorkshire (district)
- Listed buildings in Whitby (central area - east)
