Kirkstall Abbey
Kirkstall Abbey photos (21 available)
Kirkstall Abbey maps (2 available)
Map of West Yorkshire
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Kirkstall Abbey books (7 available)
Kirkstall Abbey memories
Read and share memories of Kirkstall Abbey and West Yorkshire inspired by Frith photos
Anticipating a Memory of Kirkstall Abbey
In among my family genealogical records is a note that an ancestor of mine named Richard de Berecrofte gave lands to Kirkstall Abbey in the 12th century. I am SO looking forward to visiting the Abbey next year and taking my own pictures of it!
It is my understanding that my ancestors left the Cliviger area about 1650 for Boston, MA.
I am retiring next year and have lived most of my life in Pennsylvania, USA. My daughter, Mary, is in the Air Force at Lakenheath AFB, and I will be staying with her. I would be happy to answer any questions.
Happy Day!
Contributed by Georgetta Potoski
West Yorkshire memories
Anticipating a Memory of Kirkstall Abbey
In among my family genealogical records is a note that an ancestor of mine named Richard de Berecrofte gave lands to Kirkstall Abbey in the 12th century. I am SO looking forward to visiting the Abbey next year and taking my own pictures of it!
It is my understanding that my ancestors left the Cliviger area about 1650 for Boston, MA.
I am retiring next year and have lived most of my life in Pennsylvania, USA. My daughter, Mary, is in the Air Force at Lakenheath AFB, and I will be staying with her. I would be happy to answer any questions.
Happy Day!
A memory of Kirkstall Abbey contributed by Georgetta Potoski
Bramley Memories and Me
I lived next door to Mr Dales newsagents on Highfield Road in Bramley. Opposite were rows of terraces in those days with a shop on the end of each terrace. A chip shop on the end of the first row and a newsagents and general store on the end of another - Bowers? I seem to remember. The Barley Mow pub was opposite our house along with the rugby ground and club. I could be wrong but I'm sure I have a memory of trams still running?
In those days the Rossfields and Snowdens were all fields and woods.
I can still remember walking the lenghth of Bramley Town Street with my mum and trying to walk on the raised curbs ...read more here
A memory of Bramley contributed by Angela Burgoyne
My childhood - Bramley/West Yorkshire/Leeds/England.
I must have around 7 years old when my mother used to take me along Bramley Town Street, where in those times it was back to back houses and shops. I was taken regularly to the barbers at the top of Town Street, next to the barbers was a police station. In the barbers I was sat onto a small plank across the arms to raise me up. Many kids in those days had a basin cut where the barber put a basin over your head and cut round the basin. I never understood why the barber when cutting my hair would go and serve men at the window, they came to buy a packet of Durex.
On Town St. was ...read more here
A memory of Bramley contributed by sam hamblett
Extracts From Kirkstall Abbey & West Yorkshire books
After the Dissolution, the abbey was left a ruin and many of its stones were eventually carted off and used to widen the old Leeds Bridge. Even so the chapter house, cloisters and abbot’s lodging are still impressive.
An extract from from"British Life a Century Ago".
The abbey played a part in the industrial development of Leeds, for it was here that iron forging first began in the district. Kirkstall was founded in 1152 as a daughter house of Fountains Abbey. Building work was completed by 1175 and iron forging began in 1200.
An extract from from"British Life a Century Ago".
Cleanliness in the 12th and 13th centuries was certainly next to Godliness. The Cistercians, like the Knights Templar, were not noted for their standards of personal hygiene and rarely washed. At Kirkstall the monks had the benefit of piped water so that they might wet rather than wash their hands before entering the refectory. There was also a bath, but its use was probably limited. The Catholic Church considered bathing in public to be sinful, though taking the waters at holy wells to relieve aches and pains was acceptable.
An extract from from"British Life a Century Ago".
This curious building, with tall, slim lancets extending almost from floor to roof, was conceived by R D Chantrell in 1828; Chantrell was responsible for a number of Gothic-revival inspired churches in the Leeds region. St Stephen’s has a west tower with a spire and was almost entirely altered internally in the late Victorian period.
An extract from from"British Life a Century Ago".
Kirkstall is one of the finest and most complete examples of early Cistercian architecture in Britain. The main entrance to the abbey church was through this imposing porch, enriched with capitals with scalloped details. The original circular window above was replaced by the two round-arched windows in the late 15th century.
An extract from from"British Life a Century Ago".