Bolton Abbey, located on the banks of the River Wharfe near the village of Bolton-in-Wharfedale, was founded in 1154 by Augustinian monks from nearby Embsay. The weather proved too harsh in the hills of Embsay and, after two years, the monks needed a new home. The area the monks found was shielded from much of the weather by the surrounding hills. The land was donated by Lady Alice de Romille of Skipton Castle. The monks’ main source of income came from produce, tithes, rent from farms, and lead mines. They used this money to hire masons to build their abbey. In 1170, the nave of the abbey church was converted into a parish church.
The monks spent their days in prayer and worship. Their days began at 2:00 a.m. and did not end until dusk. The monks also contributed to the life of nearby Bolton-in-Wharfedale by preaching, teaching, running hospitals, and giving shelter to visitors.
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The abbey survived bouts of poverty, roving bands of Scots, and severe weather and continued to thrive, but in 1539, it faced destruction from Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. The monks were dispersed, construction of the West Tower halted, the roof torn off, and the furnishings were stripped. Much of the estate was sold to the Clifford family, who owned Skipton Castle. The Cliffords later passed the estate on to the Cavendishes, Dukes of Devonshire.
The Priory Church of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert
The prior of the church, Prior Richard Moone, however convinced King Henry to leave the parish church intact for worshippers. A wall was built to seal off the eastern side of the nave and worship continued in the new form. During the 19th century, Devonshire family commissioned major improvements to the church. In 1853, August Pugin designed new stained glass windows. In 1867, architect George Street restored the pews, the font, and the sanctuary. In 1880, the east wall was rebuilt. During the 1970s, Canon Maurice Slaughter oversaw a series of repairs to the church and the West Tower was given a roof and floor. In 2004, Bolton Abbey celebrated its 850th anniversary. Today the Parish Church of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert is home to a thriving congregation.
Bolton Abbey Estate
The Bolton Abbey Estate is owned by the Chatsworth Settlement Trustees. Bolton Abbey sits on 3,000 acres and has many areas of interest, including:
• Barden Tower, a hunting lodge for the Forest of Barden and the home of the 10th Lord of Skipton,
• The Strid, the place where the River Wharfe narrows, and
• Strid Wood, an ancient woodland that has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Sources:
“Bolton Abbey.” (accessed June 1, 2009)
Nicholl, Edward. “The Priory Church of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert.” (accessed June 1, 2009)
Rhodes, Kate. Bolton Abbey. Norwich: Jarrold Publishing, 1990.
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