Rievaulx Abbey: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Rievaulx Abbey is in the small village of Rievaulx (pronounced 'Ree-voh'), near Helmsley in North Yorkshire. Founded in 1132, it was one of the great Cistercian abbeys of Yorkshire, second only to Fountains Abbey in fame.

The Abbey lies in a wooded dale by the River Rye, sheltered by hills. To have enough flat land to build on, a small part of the river had to be diverted to a point several metres west of where it formerly flowed. You can yet trace the line left by the old river in the Abbey's grounds. This is one illustration of the technical ingenuity of the monks, who over time built up a very profitable business rearing sheep and selling wool to buyers from all over Europe. By the Middle Ages Rievaulx Abbey had become one of the greatest and wealthiest in the land, with 140 monks and many more lay brothers.

The Abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1538. He ordered the buildings to be rendered uninhabitable and stripped of any valuables such as lead. However, its remains were left standing and are yet impressive today. They are now in the care of English Heritage.