A most intriguing part of medieval English history, the Whitby Abbey has been around since the early middle ages. It may only be left as a ruin in this modern world, but it has remained with the help of several attempts to rebuild the old abbey.
Originally, Whitby Abby was built in the 600s by the Northumbrian King Oswy to honor God for granting him victory over his pagan Mercian enemy. Lady Hilda was appointed as the abbess of this nun and monk sheltering abbey, who also happens to be the famous abbess known for her greatly sought-after wisdom and for hosting the Synod of Whitby. The Synod of Whitby was the assembly that united England under the Roman Catholic faith that took over Europe instead of the Irish Catholic faith. During her time as abbess, Hilda was also known to nurture poets, with the abbey also known for producing a great number of high-ranking clergy men for the church. Unfortunately, from this period of the abbey, only a manuscript and a letter survive, with the original abbey destroyed. The Vikings are known to have destroyed the abbey's foundation during their raids.
Later, a Benedictine monastery was built in the area around 1100, with churches and other necessary buildings built in the Romanesque style of the age. Despite the fact there was now a functional monastery on the very same grounds, it wasn't until the 1300s that an attempt was made to rebuild the abbey. This reconstruction, which was done on and off again into the 1500s, is the source for the Gothic style that the abbey's ruins display despite its history stretching back to the 600s. The shell that remains shows a few elegant spires, large windows that would have been filled with stained glass, pointed arches, and less inner support besides its rows of archways, as most of the support would have come from outside of the building. Again, very little documented proof remains from this period, with much of the dating being based on the architectural style, and a single document granting a Whitby monk permission to raise funds for the abbey's reconstruction.Finally, in the late 1500s the land was bought by a Sir Richard Cholmley who repurposed the abbey to act as a family home. Renovations were made that included adding a courtyard entrance and another wing, but the family abandoned the land in the 18th century, which marked the beginning of the abbey relenting to time. Gradually, parts of the abbey collapsed, until it became the ruins familiar to modern day tourists as part of the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. Still, it remains as a more haunting testament to the famous Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages and stands on the historical ground that saw famous individuals and events of the early Middle Ages.
References
Bennet, Judith. Medieval Europe: A Short History. McGraw Hill, 2011.English Heritage, "Whitby Abby" https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/
History Extra "Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire" https://www.historyextra.com/period/norman/whitby-abbey-north-yorkshire/
Medievalists.net "Before Dracula: The Rise and Fall of Whitby Abbey" https://www.medievalists.net/2018/04/before-dracula-the-rise-and-fall-of-whitby-abbey/
It's crazy how so many people had tried to use this land over more than 10 centuries. I also like how in the 1300s they rebuilt the abbey with a more Gothic style and just did away with the Romanesque style.
ReplyDeleteWow those images are beautiful, I like how you incorporated the fact you could still see all the old architecture. These ruins just make me wonder though, how are they still standing and how have they been able to make it this long?
ReplyDeleteTo think that this is all that remains of a once great Abbey is simply mind blowing. Also, knowing that this wasn't the original look of the structure brings a lot of intrigue to what the abbey originally looked like.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the story behind the Chartres Cathedral because it too was in ruins at a stage in its existence and was later built into what it looks like today
ReplyDeleteThe process of "repurposing" is the Dissolution of England, the significant act of King Henry VIII that led to the closing of its monasteries. This act, albeit with many protests, is a significant maker that reshapes England along Protestant tendencies and signifies the end of the Middle Ages.
ReplyDeleteA common theme I'm seeing in a lot of these cathedrals is that they were not repaired/finished until much after they were built. I'm sure the Gothic style was incorporated, but it seems that they very possibly strayed away from their original plan.
ReplyDeleteI like how this land and building was re-purposed over the years. It's a shame that it is a ruin now but i would still like to see it.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures of the ruins are hauntingly beautiful--fitting for this time of year! I enjoyed your connection to Dracula as well; it demonstrates how the middle ages has continued to influence and inspire our culture (though sometimes we tend to get the actual facts mixed up!) Great post!
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