Reaching for the heavens (From Gazette & Herald)

Reaching for the heavens

HISTORY never seems to be very far away in this part of the world.

There are so many reminders that you are treading in the footsteps of ancient people whose lives are now distant.

Every so often, the past seems to sprout wings and hurtle forwards through time until it halts in front of you and stares uncompromisingly into your eyes.

Rounding a bend in the road and setting your gaze upon the ruins of Byland Abbey may provoke just such a feeling.

The abbey sits between the villages of Wass and Coxwold at the foot of the Howardian Hills.

Byland Abbey was founded in 1177 by wandering monks from the order of Savigny who had left their abbey at Furness in Cumbria in search of a new home. It became one of the great northern monasteries.

The abbey was at its peak of activity in the mid-13th century when it was probably home to a large number of monks as well as hundreds of lay brothers and workers. It was even strong enough to survive the troubled times of the following century.

For the abbey was sacked by the Scots following the defeat of Edward II at the Battle of Byland in 1322.

There followed the Black Death, which nearly destroyed the population of the abbey late in the 14th century.

However, Byland Abbey battled on and was thriving once more when everything came to a jarring halt in 1538.

Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries saw the lead from the abbey roof removed as well as gold and silver plate. The bells were melted down for gun metal. A year later, Byland Abbey was abandoned and, over the years, it fell into the ruined state in which it is found today.

To get up close and personal with the history of this great medieval ruin, a visit during the afternoon of Saturday, July 19, or Sunday, July 20, would not go amiss.

Because there will be an exhibition of medieval floor tiles found at Byland, as well as its fellow Yorkshire abbeys of Rievaulx, Fountains and Meaux.

There will be an opportunity to handle some of these authentic medieval tiles, while there will also be competitions and activities to keep the kids happy.

Admission will be £3 for adults, £2.50 for concessions and £2 for children. For more information, you can ring (01347) 868614.

Updated: 10:32 Wednesday, July 09, 2003