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Shap Abbey, Shap Rural
Shap Abbey
Abbey of St Mary Magdalen
civil parish:-   Shap Rural (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   abbey
locality type:-   religious house
coordinates:-   NY54791522
1Km square:-   NY5415
10Km square:-   NY51


photograph
BTF31.jpg  Chapter house, left foreground.
(taken 18.7.2010)  
photograph
BTF26.jpg (taken 18.7.2010)  

evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Wmd 14 13) 
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.

evidence:-   map:- 
source data:-   : 1954: Monastic Britain: Ordnance Survey

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Keer 1605 (edn 1620) 
source data:-   Map, Westmorlandia et Comberlandia, ie Westmorland and Cumberland now Cumbria, scale about 16 miles to 1 inch, probably by Pieter van den Keere, or Peter Keer, about 1605, published about 1605 to 1676.
image KER9Wmd3, button  goto source
third page  "(9) There is mention made but of one religious house that hath beene in all this Country [Westmorland], and that was a little Monastery seated neere unto the River Loder, built by Thomas the sonne of Gospatricke, the sonne of Orms: ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Morden 1695 (Wmd) 
placename:-  Shap Abby
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, Westmorland, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by Robert Morden, published by Abel Swale, the Unicorn, St Paul's Churchyard, Awnsham, and John Churchill, the Black Swan, Paternoster Row, London, 1695.
image
MD10NY51.jpg
"S Abby"
Circle. 
item:-  JandMN : 24
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Buck 1739
placename:-  Shapp Abby
placename:-  Shap Abby
placename:-  Heppe Abby
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, The South East View of Shapp Abby, in the County of Westmorland, drawn and engraved by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, published 1739.
image  click to enlarge
BU0224.jpg
printed, top  "THE SOUTH-EAST VIEW OF SHAPP-ABBY, IN THE COUNTY OF WESTMORLAND."
printed, bottom  "Shapp, Shap or Heppe Abby of Premonstratensian Canons, was first built by Thomas Son of Gospatrick, in honour of St. Mary Magdalene at Preston, in ye Barony of Kendal, but afterwards removed hither by ye Founder, and by him endow'd with divers Lands, amongst other Benefactions he gave them Liberty to take out of his Woods what Wood they pleass'd and to grind at his Mill Toll free. He gave them also Pasture in & about Swindale for Sixty Cows, twenty Mares, five hundred Sheep &c. with other Possessions in ye Town of Heppe where this Convent was now erected: Robt. de Vipont or de Veteriponte, Ld. of Westmorland confirm'd all these Gifts. The present Propriator is Robert Lowther Esqr. An: Val: ~154. 17s. 71/2d. Dugd. ~166: 10s: 61/2d. Speed. / Saml. &Nathl. Buck delin: et Sculpt. Publish'd accordg. to Act of Parliament. March 26. 1739."
item:-  Armitt Library : 1959.67.24
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Simpson 1746 map (Wmd) 
placename:-  Abby
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Westmorland, scale about 8 miles to 1 inch, printed by R Walker, Fleet Lane, London, 1746.
image
SMP2NYK.jpg
"Abby"
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2007.38.59
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Bowen and Kitchin 1760
placename:-  Abby
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, A New Map of the Counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland Divided into their Respective Wards, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Emanuel Bowen and Thomas Kitchin et al, published by T Bowles, Robert Sayer, and John Bowles, London, 1760.
image
BO18NY41.jpg
"Abby"
circle and line 
item:-  Armitt Library : 2008.14.10
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Jefferys 1770 (Wmd) 
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Map, 4 sheets, The County of Westmoreland, scale 1 inch to 1 mile, surveyed 1768, and engraved and published by Thomas Jefferys, London, 1770.
image
J5NY51NW.jpg
"Shap Abbey"
tower; abbey remains 
item:-  National Library of Scotland : EME.s.47
Image © National Library of Scotland

evidence:-   descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) 
placename:-  Heppe Abbey
source data:-   Guide book, A Guide to the Lakes, by Thomas West, published by William Pennington, Kendal, Cumbria once Westmorland, and in London, 1778 to 1821.
image WS21P173, button  goto source
Page 173:-  "... the ruins of Shap (or Heppe) abbey to Shap. The remains of this ancient structure are inconsiderable, yet picturesque. A square tower, with piked windows, is the chief part of the ruins, and does honor to the reign of King John, when it was built for canons of the praemonstratensian order, that had been first placed at Preston-patrick, near Kendal, by Thomas, son of Gospatrick."
"This abbey was dedicated by the first founder to St. Mary Magdalene, and he endowed it with a large portion of his lands, in Preston, near Kendal. His son translated it to Magdalene vale, near Shap, and further endowed it with the lands of Karl, or Karl-wath. Robert de Vitripont (Vipon) first Lord of Westmorland, confirmed the preceding grants, and added to that of Matilda his mother, and Ivo his brother, the tithes of all his mills, and of the game killed in all his lands in Westmorland. This grant is dated on Saturday, April 24, in the 13th of King John."

evidence:-   old map:- West 1784 map
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, A Map of the Lakes in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, engraved by Paas, 53 Holborn, London, about 1784.
image
Ws02NY51.jpg
"Abbey"
item:-  Armitt Library : A1221.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789
placename:-  Shape monastery
placename:-  Heye monastery
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P148, button  goto source
Page 148:-  "... Shape, antiently Heye, a small monastery, built by Thomas son of Gospatric, son of Orme, ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789 (Gough Additions) 
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P161, button  goto source
Page 161:-  "..."
"... the ruins of the Premonstratensian priory transferred from Preston in this county t. Henry II. valued at L.154, and its beautiful tower in a sequestered vale half a mile off [from Shap]. ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Cary 1789 (edn 1805) 
placename:-  Shap Abby
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Westmoreland, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Cary, London, 1789; edition 1805.
image
CY24NY51.jpg
"Sha[p] Abby"
tower 
item:-  JandMN : 129
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Baker 1802
source data:-   Perspective road map with sections in Lancashire, Westmorland, and Cumberland, by J Baker, London 1802.
pp.25-26:-  "..."
"... Shap ... Here were latterly some relics of a convent of Cistercian monks, ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Capper 1808
source data:-   Gazetteer, A Topographical Dictionary of the United Kingdom, compiled by Benjamin Pitts Capper, published by Richard Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, 1808; published 1808-29.
image CAP142, button  goto source
"[Shap] ... had once a famous monastery of Premonstratensian canons; it stood about a mile west of the church, but there are now only some ruins of it remaining. ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Otley 1818
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, The District of the Lakes, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Jonathan Otley, 1818, engraved by J and G Menzies, Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Jonathan Otley, Keswick, Cumberland, et al, 1833.
image
OT02NY51.jpg
"Abbey"
item:-  JandMN : 48.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
source data:-   Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London, monthly from 1731 to 1922.
image G823B515, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1823 part 2 p.515  "Rosegill, Nov. 20."
"Mr. URBAN,"
"HAVING been led into some enquiries respecting the Abbey of Shap, in Westmoreland, I have collected the following account of its establishment and dissolution, which is at your service."
"The Abbey of Shap was transferred hither from Preston-Patrick, in the parish of Burton, near Kendal, probably for the sake of the situation, which is in a retired vale on the margin of the River Lowther, and about a mile West from Shap. It was founded by Thomas, son of Cospatrick. The following is an extract from its grant, which is without date, but is supposed to have been made about the year 1119, and 20th of Hen. I. - 'To all sons of our holy mother the Church, as well present as to come, who shall see or hear this present writing, Thomas, son of Cospatrick, sendeth greeting. Know ye, that I have given and granted, and by this my present charter have confirmed, to God and St. Mary Magdalene, and the Canons of Preston, who are of the order of Premonstratenses, in free, pure, and perpetual alms, for the health of the soul of myself, my wife, and all my ancestors, one portion of my land in Preston in Kendal, to make a mansion of Canons, to wit, my whole demesne park below Lackslost,' &c. proceeding to specify the boundaries of other lands and privileges granted."
"A few years afterwards this Thomas, son of Cospatrick, removed the Monastery to Shap, and 'granted to God and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, of the Vale of Magdalene, and the Canons of the order of Premonstratenses, serving God there, all that his land, which was Karl, (that is out lands held by his ceorles or farmers) by these bounds, from the Ford of Carlwath, ascending by the river on the South as far as Langeshaw-beck, and so ascending by Langeshaw-beck to the road which comes from Kendal, and so following that road Northwards till it come to Stanirase, nigh Rafland;"

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag 1823
source data:-   image G823B516, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1823 part 2 p.516  "and so by that road unto Rasate; and so going down on the other side of the hill to the great stone where they were wont to stand to watch the deer as they passed, and so going down to the River Lowther, and further as far as the division of Rosegill towards the East; and so all along Southward to the top of the hill of Creskeld, and so to Alinbalike. He grants to them also the vale with brushwood in the Eastern part over against their own, stretching along the top of the hill to the house which was William King's, and so to the land which belonged to Matthew de Hepp, and so going down Westward to the said ford of Carlwath. He also grants to them pasture in common with the tenants of Rasate, and pasture at Thamboord, and at Swindale on both sides, (to the top of Binbash on one side, and on the other side beyond Thengeheved) for 60 cows, 20 mares to run in the woods, and 500 sheep, with their young till the age of three years; and for five yoke of oxen; and wood also for the Abbey, timber, fire, hedging, and other necessaries, without the control of his foresters.'-"
"Dugdale's Monasticon, p.594."
"This Thomas Cospatrick, the founder, died Dec. 7, 1152, and was buried in this Abbey, as were also several of the Veteriponts and Cliffords, who were great benefactors to it."
"Various messuages and lands, both in Westmoreland other counties, were given to this Abbey by numerous individuals. At the time of the dissolution, in 1540, its revenues were valued at 154l. 7s. 71/2d. a year. Though the first attack of Henry the Eighth on the Monasteries was by the act he got passed in 1535 to dissolve all whose revenues were under 200l. a year, yet the Abbey of Shap, though under this value, by some means or other suffered not by it. Perhaps the reason might be because the act that year speaks of those which contained under the number of 12 persons, whereas in this Abbey there were 20 religious. Or perhaps Henry Earl of Cumberland, the patron thereof, who was highly in favour with Henry the Eighth, might have interest to save it in that first attack."
"It surrendered on Jan. 14, 1540, under the act passed 1539 for the suppression of Monasteries. The last Abbot was Richard Evenwode, who for some reason or other signed the surrender of the Abbey by the name of Richard Baggot. Its possessions were granted, in 1544, with the monasteries of Gisburn and Rival, in Yorkshire, to Thomas Lord Wharton, at the yearly rent of 41l. 11s. with reversion in the Crown, which James the First in 1610 granted Philip, Lord Wharton, and his heirs male, with whom they continued till about the year 1730, when they were sold with other Westmoreland estates of the notorious and profligate Duke of Wharton, to Robert Louther, esq. of Mauldsmeaburn, and are now attached to the Lowther estates."
"In Henry the Eighth's grant of the possession of this Abbey to the Wharton family, were reserved and excepted Sleddale grange, Milbourn grange, and all those lands in Rosegill in the tenure of Thomas Salkeld, and the several lands and tenements in Sleagill, Melkinthorpe, and Great Strickland; and except also the lead and bells in and upon the Church and scite of the said late Monastery, the leaden gutters and pipes, and lead in the windows."
"Richard Baggot, alias Evenwode, the last abbot, was living in the first year of Queen Mary, i.e. 1553, and enjoyed a pension of 40l. a year. And of the canons and officers there were then surviving 13 person, each of whom had pensions as follows, - Hugh Watsonne, Robert Barlonde, John Addison, Edward Machael, and Edmund Carter, 6l. each; Martin Mackerethe, John Dawston, and Richard Mell, 5l. each; John Bell, 5l. 6s. 8d.; George Ellerston, Anthony Johnson, John Rode, and Ralph Watsonne, 4l. each."
"The length of the Abbey Church, including the tower, was about 75 yards, outside measure. Its tower, which is yet standing, exhibits a specimen of excellent masonry. It has been built of white freestone, and so exceedingly durable as to preserve the marks of the chisel to this day. Some fragments of the chancel walls, which are washed by the river Louther, also still remain. The ground adjoining the South side of the Abbey Church is coverd with the relics of its cloisters and offices, many of them vaulted underneath."
"The house here, now occupied as a farm-house, seems to have been one of the offices. About 100 yards below the Abbey are the ruins of an"

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag 1823
source data:-   image G823B517, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1823 part 2 p.517 
  "old bridge. Shap Grange, which belonged to it, stands in rich pastures, a mile to the East, and has vestiges of a considerable village around it. Speed, after mentioning this Abbey, adds, 'where there is a fountain or spring which ebbs and flows many times in a day;' it is called Skuskill well, and at present throws out a copious, but apparently a regular flowing stream."
"The Premonstratenses, or Monks of Premonstre, vulgarly called White Canons, had 27 Monasteries in England."
"GEORGE HALL."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Otley 1823 (5th edn 1834) 
item:-  geology
source data:-   Guide book, A Concise Description of the English Lakes, the mountains in their vicinity, and the roads by which they may be visited, with remarks on the mineralogy and geology of the district, by Jonathan Otley, published by the author, Keswick, Cumberland now Cumbria, by J Richardson, London, and by Arthur Foster, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, 1823; published 1823-49, latterly as the Descriptive Guide to the English Lakes.
image OT01P084, button  goto source
Page 84:-  "On the banks of the river Lowther, about a mile west of Shap, may be seen some remains of an Abbey ... which was founded about the year 1150."
"..."
image OT01P161, button  goto source
Page 161:-  "... the old red sandstone formation; ... whether it passes under or only abuts against the adjacent limestone, I have not yet myself had an opportunity of observing; but have been told that their junction may be seen near Shap Abbey; and in a quarry near Greystoke."

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
source data:-   Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London, monthly from 1731 to 1922.
image G825A516, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1825 part 1 p.516  "Compendium of County History. - Westmorland."
"Of SHAP Abbey became tenants at the dissolution, the Hoggerd family, ancestors of the inimitable HOGARTH."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01P140, button  goto source
Page 140:-  "..."
"SHAP ABBEY,"
"Founded by Thomas, son of Gospatrick, who de-"
image FD01P141, button  goto source
Page 141:-  "[de]dicated it to God and St. Mary Magdalene, endowing it for canons of the Premonstratensian order. Their revenues, at the dissolution, were £154 17s. 7d. The Abbey church appears to have been a large building. The great tower is the only part now standing, but extensive foundations of buildings were discovered in 1825, on the south side of the Abbey, near which the pillar of an ancient bridge is till to be seen in the midst of the river."

evidence:-   old map:- Ford 1839 map
source data:-   Map, uncoloured engraving, Map of the Lake District of Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, and by R Groombridge, 5 Paternoster Row, London, 3rd edn 1843.
image
FD02NY51.jpg
"Abbey"
item:-  JandMN : 100.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Garnett 1850s-60s H
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Map of the English Lakes, in Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, scale about 3.5 miles to 1 inch, published by John Garnett, Windermere, Westmorland, 1850s-60s.
image
GAR2NY51.jpg
"Shap Abbey"
block, building 
item:-  JandMN : 82.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, Shap Abbey, Shap Rural, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890s.
image  click to enlarge
HB0712.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS376
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Bemrose 1881
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Print, uncoloured, Tower of Shap Abbey, Shap Rural, Westmorland, published by Bemrose and Sons, 23 Old Bailey, London and Derby, by A B Moss, Carlisle, Cumberland, and by T Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, about 1881.
image  click to enlarge
BEM128.jpg
On p.113 of a Handy Guide to the English Lakes and Shap Spa. 
printed at bottom:-  "TOWER OF SHAP ABBEY."
item:-  JandMN : 455.30
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Philip/Wilson 1890s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Tower of Shap Abbey, published by George Philip and Son, London, Philip, Son and Nephew, Liverpool, Lancashire, and Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, about 1895
image  click to enlarge
PW1E39.jpg
"TOWER OF SHAP ABBEY."
item:-  JandMN : 58.40
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old photograph:- Ullswater Steamers 1900s (edn 1903) 
source data:-   Photograph, bw halftone, Shap Abbey, Shap Rural, Westmorland, published in a guide book by the Ullswater Steam Navigation Co, Penrith, Cumberland, 1903.
image  click to enlarge
UN116.jpg
item:-  JandMN : 1023.16
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Bradley 1901
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Print, uncoloured lithograph, Shap Abbey, Shap Rural, Westmorland, by Joseph Pennell, published by Macmillan and Co, London, 1901.
image  click to enlarge
BRL180.jpg
On page 304 of Highways and Byways in the Lake District, by A G Bradley. 
printed at lower left:-  "Joseph Pennell"
printed at bottom:-  "Shap Abbey."
item:-  JandMN : 464.80
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Bradley 1901
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Print, uncoloured lithograph, Looking West from Shap Abbey, Shap Rural, Westmorland, by Joseph Pennell, published by Macmillan and Co, London, 1901.
image  click to enlarge
BRL183.jpg
On page 309 of Highways and Byways in the Lake District, by A G Bradley. 
printed at lower right:-  "Joseph Pennell"
printed at bottom:-  "Looking West from Shap Abbey."
item:-  JandMN : 464.83
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Heaton Cooper 1905 (edn 1908) 
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Print, colour halftone, Shap Abbey, Shap Rural, Westmorland, from a watercolour painting by Alfred Heaton Cooper, published by Adam and Charles Black, London, 2nd edn 1908.
image  click to enlarge
HC0160.jpg
Opposite p.182 of The English Lakes, painted by Alfred Heaton Cooper, described by William T Palmer. 
printed at tissue opposite the print:-  "SHAP ABBEY"
printed at signed lower right:-  "[A HEATON COOPER]"
item:-  JandMN : 468.60
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old text:- Harper 1907
placename:-  Shap Abbey
placename:-  Heppe Abbey
item:-  Dissolution, The
source data:-   HP01p113.txt
Page 113:-  "..."
"Shap ... is chiefly famous among tourists for its Abbey, which exists only in scanty ruin, a mile away, in a lonely situation: lonely, that is to say, except for its great Abbey Farm. You approach it over a sheep-down and across a narrow bridge built by the old monks so well that it stands soundly to this"
image  click to enlarge
HP0110.jpg
"SHAP ABBEY:"
"day and does not let my Lord Lonsdale through, when he drives visitors across in his big motor-car, to see the ruined tower, practically all that remains of the Abbey. Shelter was more to the point when I came here, chased by rain-storms and thunder-storms that spouted and rumbled among the hills, and I know more of the kindly hospitality of the farm than of the antiquities of the Abbey, which, after all, are few beyond broken columns and the stone coffins of departed and forgotten abbots and brethren. The Abbey, founded in 1150, as "Heppe," i.e. "hip"; that is to say, the "thorn-trees," whence we get "hips and haws" from"
HP01p114.txt
Page 114:-  "the fruit of them, was a lonely one. Those ancient thorns, still carefully encircled with stone walls, once served to mark the way for travellers in these wilds. The Abbey was resigned in 1541 by Richard Evenwode, the last Abbot. Its revenue was then ~154 per annum, a good deal in those days. Today black-faced, horned Scotch mountain-sheep roam the Abbey lands."
item:-  JandMN : 1055.11
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   site plan:- Historical Monuments 1936
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Site plan, uncoloured lithograph, Shap Abbey, Shap Rural, Westmorland, scale about 1 to 290, published by Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, London, 1936.
image  click to enlarge
HMW124.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.208 of the Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Westmorland. 
printed, lower left  "SHAP ABBEY"
RCHME no. Wmd, Shap Rural 3 
item:-  Armitt Library : A745.125
Image © see bottom of page

 notes about bells

evidence:-   old print:- MacBride 1922
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Print, colour, Shap Abbey and Fells, by Alfred Heaton Cooper, published by Adam and Charles Black, 4-6 Soho Square, London, 2nd edn 1928.
image  click to enlarge
MB0107.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.32 in Wild Lakeland by MacKenzie MacBride. 
printed at bottom:-  "SHAP ABBEY AND FELLS"
signed at lower left:-  "A. HEATON COOPER"
item:-  JandMN : 195.9
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Green 1819
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Print, soft ground etching, Shap Abbey, Westmorland, by William Green, 1820, published by R Lough and Co, Chronicle Office, Finkle Street, Kendal, and others, 1820.
image  click to enlarge
GN0113.jpg
Tipped in opposite vol.1 p.377 of The Tourist's New Guide, by William Green. 
printed at bottom right, centre:-  "Vol.I, page 377, line 9. / SHAP ABBEY. / Published at Ambleside, by Wm. Green, 1820."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1141.14
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Shap Monastery
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Remains of Shap Monastery, Westmoreland, drawn and engraved by J Greig, published by W Clarke, New Bond Street, 1818.
image  click to enlarge
PR0109.jpg
Included in the Antiquarian Itinerary. 
printed at bottom:-  "Drawn &Engraved by J. Greig for the Antiquarian Itinerary. / Remains of Shap Monastery, Westmoreland. / Published for the proprietors May 1. 1818. by W. Clarke. New Bond Street."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.109
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Britton and Brayley 1802
placename:-  Shap Abbey
source data:-   Print, hand coloured engraving, Remains of Shap Abbey, Westmoreland, drawn by W Pearson, engraved by Matthews, published by John Harris, St Paul's Churchyard, London, 1813.
image  click to enlarge
PR0150.jpg
Included in the Beauties of England and Wales, by John Britton and Edward W Brayley. 
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "Engraved by Matthews, from a Drawing by W. Pearson, / for the Beauties of England &Wales. / Remains of / SHAP ABBEY, / Westmoreland. / London. Published by John Harris, St. Pauls Church Yard, July 1. 1813."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.150
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Shap Abby
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Shap Abby, drawn by Moses Griffith, engraved by P Mazell, published 1790s?
image  click to enlarge
PR0298.jpg
printer at top:-  "XX 257"
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "Moses Griffith del. / P. Mazell sculp / SHAP ABBY."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.298
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print with text:- Lowther 1780s-90s
placename:-  Shap Abbey
placename:-  Heppe Monastery
placename:-  Shap Monastery
source data:-   Print, engraving, Heppe or Shap Monastery ie Shap Abbey, Shap Rural, Cumbria, engraved by Godfrey, 1774; with descriptive text:-
image  click to enlarge
BNF19.jpg
"HEPPE, OR, SHAP MONASTERY, WESTMORLAND."
"THIS Monastery was originally founded near Preston in Kendale, about the latter end of the reign of Henry the Second, by Thomas Fitz Gospatrick Fitz Orme, whose father, as appears by the Pipe Role of 22d Hen. II. was amerced 500 marks for surrendering the castle of Appleby to the King of Scotland. He endowed it for Premonstratensian Canons, and dedicated it to the honour of St. Mary Magdalene. It was afterwards removed with his consent, and during his life-time, to a valley in the parish of Hepp, now called Shapp; probably, a more fertile and pleasant situation."
"AMONG other donations, this Thomas gave these Canons as much wood as they would take out of his forests; also the bark of his trees which should fall off, and permitted them to grind at his mill toll free; he likewise gave them pasture about Swindale for sixty cows, twenty mares, and five hundred sheep, with other possessions in the territory of the town of Heppe, where he erected their Convent a-new."
"ROBERT DE VETERIPONTE, or Vipont, lord of Westmorland, confirmed all his gifts, which with the benefactions of others so enriched it, that at the Dissolution (about which time there were therein twenty Religious) its yearly revenues amounted to 154l. 17s. 7d. ob. Dudgale; 166l. 10s. 6d. ob. Speed. The site was granted, 36th Henry VIIIth, to Thomas Lord Wharton. Not many years ago it belonged to Robert Lowther, Esq."
"IN Brown Willis's History of Abbies are the following particulars respecting this Monastery:"
"Richard Redman, bishop of St. Asaph, held this Abbey in commendam an. 1519. Richard Baggot, last abbot, surrendered this Convent 14. Jan. 1540, 31st Hen. 8th, and had a pension of 40l. per ann. allowed him, which he enjoyed an. 1553, when there remained a charge 14l. 2s. in annuities, and these pensions, viz. To Thomas Watsonne, Robert Barlonde, John Addison, Edward Michael, and Edmund Carter, 6l. each; Martin Makarethe, John Dawston, Richard Mell, 5l. each; John Bell, 5l. 6s. 8d. George Ellerson, Anthony Johnson, John Rode, and Ralph Watson, 4l. each."
"This View was taken Anno 1773."
item:-  Dove Cottage : Lowther.33
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Heppe Monastery
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Heppe Monastery, in Westmoreland, ie Shap Abbey, engraved by Coote, published by Alexander Hogg, 16 Paternoster Row, London, late 18th century.
image  click to enlarge
PR0387.jpg
printed at bottom right, centre:-  "Coote sculpt. / HEPPE MONASTERY, in WESTMORELAND. / Published according to Act of Parliament by Alexr. Hogg No.16 Paternoster Row."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.387
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Shap Monastery
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Shap Monastery, Westmorland, engraved by Godfrey, published by Samuel Hooper, 1774.
image  click to enlarge
PR0210.jpg
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "Printed for S. Hooper 2 July 1774. / Godfrey Sc. / Shap Monastery, Westmorland."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.210
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
placename:-  Heppe Monastery
placename:-  Shap Monastery
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, Heppe or Shap Monastery, Westmorland, engraved by Godfrey, published by Samuel Hooper, 1774.
image  click to enlarge
PR0211.jpg
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "July 2d. 1774 / Godfrey Sc. / HEPPE, OR, SHAP MONASTERY, WESTMORLAND. / ..."
item:-  Dove Cottage : 2008.107.211
Image © see bottom of page


photograph
BTF35.jpg  Cloister garth, left foreground.
(taken 18.7.2010)  
photograph
BTF39.jpg  Cellarer's store rooms.
(taken 18.7.2010)  
photograph
BTF30.jpg  Inside the tower.
(taken 18.7.2010)  
photograph
CDL63.jpg  Engraved circle, where a canon should stand after processing in.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL64.jpg  Engraved circle, where a canon should stand after processing in.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL62.jpg  Stone coffin.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
BTF29.jpg (taken 18.7.2010)  
photograph
BNK32.jpg (taken 23.3.2007)  
photograph
BJQ47.jpg (taken 22.7.2005)  

MN photo:-  
The stumps of pillars show the internal arrangement of the stonework.

photograph
BTF34.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 18.7.2010)  
photograph
BTF36.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 18.7.2010)  
photograph
CDL52.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL53.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL54.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL55.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL56.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL57.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL58.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL59.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL60.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  
photograph
CDL61.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 28.6.2015)  


photograph
BTF38.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 18.7.2010)  
photograph
BTF37.jpg  Pillar.
(taken 18.7.2010)  

hearsay:-  

Tower and some other remains of a Premonstratensian abbey, founded late 12th century by monks from Preston Patrick. The monastery at Preston Patrick was founded 1191 by Thomas son of Gospatrick; they moved to Shap about 1199. The existing buildings are mostly 13th century; the west tower, which stands, is early 16th century. The Premonstratensian Order were puritanical followers of St Norbert, originating at Premontre, France. They wore white robes.
Anthony Whitehead of Reagill wrote:-
"What a pity to see thee for ages neglected,
An' stan' i' thy ruin sae ragg'd and dejected,
Thou who yance was wi' reverence sae girtly respected."


Robertson, Dawn & Koronka, Peter: 1992: Secrets and Legends of Old Westmorland: Pagan Press (Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria) &Cumbria CC (library service)

person:-    : English Heritage

see:-    abbey, Preston Patrick

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