Home»All Photographs»Cathedrals, Abbeys and Churches»Yorkshire Abbeys»Gisborough Priory

Founded in 1119, the Priory of St Mary was one of the wealthiest foundations in England.as an Augustinian foundation, one of several created about that time following the Harrying of the North which had left the regions north of the River Humber devastated. The priory flourished until the dissolutionbecuase of the support of the local population which gained huge benefit economically and because of the reputation of the canons for virtuous living. With an annual net value of £628, the priory was one of the very last to be dissolved, on 8 April 1540 but not surrendered until 22 December. Now all that remains above foundation level is the east face. Nonetheless the scale of the church is staggering; 350 feet long and 100 feet high, for a community which peaked at 32 canons.