1132, Thirteen monks leave the Abbey of St Mary’s, York, and found a monastery of the Cistercian Order in Skeldale--1134, Hugh, Dean of York, bequeaths his wealth to the Brotherhood--1137, Serlo and Tosti, Canons of York, become benefactors to the abbey. In the following years kings and popes endow it with various privileges--1140, The house consumed by fire--1204, Restorations are commenced and the foundations of the church laid--1247, The church completed by Abbot John of Kent--In the 13th and 14th centuries members of the House of Percy become patrons of, and benefactors to, the abbey--1540, Abbot Bradley surrenders the abbey and receives a pension of £100 per annum. Annual revenue, £998, 6s. 8d.--After being sold by Henry VIII. to Sir Richard Gresham and passing through the hands of various families, the Abbey purchased by William Aislabie, Esq., of Studley Royal, who annexes the ruins to his own estate, both being now in the possession of the Marquis of Ripon. “‘Here man more purely lives, less oft doth fall, More promptly rises, walks with nicer heed, More safely rests, dies happier, is freed Earlier from cleansing fires, and gains with-all A brighter crown.’[1] On yon Cistercian wall That confident assurance may be read; And, to like shelter from the world have fled Increasing multitudes. The potent call Doubtless shall cheat full oft the heart’s desires; Yet, while the rugged age on pliant knee Vows to rapt fancy humble fealty, A gentle life spreads round the holy spires; Where’er they rise, the sylvan waste retires, And aëry harvests crown the fertile lea. _Cistercian Monastery_ (WORDSWORTH).