Shap's Premonstratensian Abbey - Cumbria UK
Posted by: 
martlakes
N 54° 31.819 W 002° 42.039
30U E 519371 N 6042568
The abbey was founded around 1200 by a local baron called Thomas son of Gospatric. He granted a group of cannons land to build an abbey upon here by the River Lowther.
Waymark Code: WM3GFM
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/03/2008
Views: 32
The Premonstratensian order was founded in the 1120s and like the Cistercians they wore white habits and built their monasteries in remote places to pursue a life of contemplation. The canons also served as priests in nearby parishes.
The Premonstratensians were a 'halfway house' between the strict closed Order of the Cistercians, and the more community orientated benevolence of the Augustinians. Richard Redman was the abbot of Shap for some 50 years until his death in 1505 but, as the leading English Premonstratensian of the time, he also held successive posts as Bishop of St Asaph, Exeter, and Ely.
Escaping the initial phase of the Dissolution in 1536, Shap Abbey was finally suppressed in 1540 and subsequently sold to the Governor of Carlisle. It seems that most of the abbey church was demolished, and the stones quarried away. Some buildings and stone were incorporated into the adjacent farm. The large west tower stills stands.
Little has changed at the site since this time. A steep narrow road leads down to the river and a small car park area. There are many good footpaths in the area and arriving by foot along the river is very satisfying. New info panels give a 'guided tour' of this free site.
Information from English Heritage and The Heritage Trail: (
visit link)