| Whitby Abbey Now in trust with English Heritage Whitby Abbey is a ruined monastery sited on Whitby's East Cliff. |
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It was founded in 657 AD by the Saxon King of
Northumbria, Oswy (Oswiu) as Streanshalh (Streonshalh). He appointed
Lady Hilda, niece of Edwin, the first christian king of Northumbria,
as Abbess.
The double monastery of Benedictine monks and nuns was also home to the great Saxon poet Caedmon. In 664, the abbey, built on the east cliff overlooking the Esk and town of Whitby, was the site of the Synod of Whitby, at which the Northumbrian Celtic church was reconciled to Rome. In 867, the abbey fell to Viking attack, and was abandoned until 1078, when it was re-founded by Regenfrith (Reinferd) a soldier monk, under the orders of his protector, the Norman, William de Percy. |
The second monastery lasted until
it was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1540. The abbey buildings fell
into ruins, and were mined for stone, but remained a prominent
landmark for sailors.
(From Wikipedia) |
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Site Maintained by Complete Internet Services Ltd, Whitby and Scarborough. |
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