A Bit of Britain - Jervaulx Abbey

I am watching the series Pillars of the Earth, based on the book by Ken Follett about the building of cathedrals and abbeys in medieval times. In 2009, when we were visiting friends David and Linda in North Yorkshire, David gave us a beautiful tour of the Yorkshire Dales. In kindness to me, he reached into the boot, retrieved a lawn chair and insisted that I be given time to sketch at his favorite abbey. In spite of the destruction caused by religious animosity and time, there is a great sense of peace here.

Jervaulx Abbey was built in 1156 as a Cistercian Monastery. It was dismantled in the 16th century when it was declared forfeit to the crown. The lead was stripped from its roof and the church was blown up with gun powder. Artifacts can be found from Aysgarth to Bedale.