Kirkstall Abbey
RELIGIOUS HOUSES OF THE
BARON'S OF PONTEFRACT
Built on the site of a former Anglo Saxon Church, Then rebuilt by the early de Lacy family as a place of worship for the people of Pontefract. 'The core of the nave and chancel is probably 12th or 13th century' (Ryder 1993, 169).
Now a large medieval shell reduced to a roofless ruin during the Civil War sieges due to its close proximity to Pontefract castle. In 1967 a new nave was built within the shell of the original All Saints now offering the convenience of a modern church within a magnificent medieval structure. This then was the parish church of Pontefract before St Giles took precedence in 1789, but later All Saints became an independent parish. If visiting the castle particularly if you are using the castle car park. you should at least have a look round the exterior of All Saints. Still, by the car park you can see the site of a Saxon church that has been excavated still within the castle grounds but below the upper bailey, it is opposite the white house between the castle and All Saints. |
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Selby Abbey now an Anglican parish church in the town of Selby, North Yorkshire, England. Only its grandeur speaks of its glorious past.
Founded by Benedict of Auxerre in 1069 and subsequently built by Ilbert de Lacy as the first Norman Abbey to be built in the North of England. Only the degree of mutual trust that Ilbert had established with the local population allowed the building to go ahead so soon after the “Harrowing of the North”. Selby Abbey was the very first abbey established in the north of England following the Norman Conquest. Those must have been nervous times for the builders, as the North was not quick to acknowledge the new Norman authority. With the death of Abbott Benedict in 1097, Hugh de Lacy the youngest son of Ilbert a loyal follower of Benedict for over 20 years became the 2nd Abbott, a position he held until his death in 1123. On 31 May 1256, the Abbey was bestowed with the grant of a Mitre by Pope Alexander IV and remained a "Mitred Abbey" until the Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII and Cromwell. The Abbey was held in such high regard that it was allowed to escape the Cromwell demolition gangs by being allowed to change its status to Selby Parish Church thus allowing us the opportunity to visit an intact Abbey and not a ruin. The Washington Window For my American de Lacy family and friends you will find of interest the Abbeys connection with George Washington no less. You will see above the chancel in the south clerestory the Washington Window. Following an endowment in the 14th century to the Abbey by the Washington family The14th-century Washington coat of arms contains three stars above red and white stripes and is one of the first known representations of the stars and stripes pattern later used for the US flag. Because of the Washington connection, Selby Abbey is on the 'American Trail' of attractions around the UK |
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