There is a good deal of Norman work in the monastic offices to the east of the refectory. The cloisters were to the south of the nave, the usual position, though in the case of this abbey they would not get the warmth generally obtained from a southern exposure. To the north of the village are the almonry and infirmary. In tracing the early history of Rievaulx we find ourselves again in the regions of romance and tragedy. Dugdale in his _Monasticon_ gives full credence to the story of Walter Espec, the brave soldier, who led his men at the battle of the Standard, and of whom Aeldred, Abbot of Rievaulx, third in the line of thirty-three incumbents, gives the following graphic description:--“An old man and full of days, quick-witted, prudent in council, moderate in peace, circumspect in war, a true friend, and a loyal subject. His stature was passing tall ... his hair was still black, his beard long and flowing, his forehead wide and noble, his eyes large and bright, his face broad, and well featured, his voice like the sound of a trumpet setting off his natural eloquence of speech with a certain majesty of sound.” “The aforesaid Walter,” so we read in the _Monasticon_, “had a son, called also Walter, who having unfortunately broken his neck, by a fall from his horse, his father resolved to make Christ Heir of part of his lands, and accordingly founded three monasteries.” Rievaulx was the third of these religious houses (Kirkham and Wardon being the other two), and its establishment was entrusted to certain monks from Clairvaux sent over by St Bernard himself. The house always retained the singular distinction accruing to it, owing to the friendship of its founders with the great saint. EASBY (_Præmonstratensian_) 1152, Founded by Roaldus, Constable of Richmond--1379-99, Richard le Scrope of Bolton endows and enlarges the original monastery--The fabric dedicated to St Agatha--1424, Abbey consecrated by the Bishop of Dromore, acting as commissary to the Archbishop of York--1535, Dissolved--The screens and wooden stalls removed to Richmond Church. Annual revenue, £111, 17s. 11d.