File:The ruined abbeys of Yorkshire (1883) (14799067663).jpg

Identifier: ruinedabbeysofyo00lefr_0 (find matches)
Title: The ruined abbeys of Yorkshire
Year: 1883 (1880s)
Authors: Lefroy, William, 1836-1900
Subjects: Abbeys
Publisher: London, Seeley, Jackson, and Halliday
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute

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ey were living asdevout men might have lived before the days ofSt. Benedict ; a fraternity of hermits, if the expres-sion may be tolerated, without organization andwithout rule. The beauty of the place charmed theAbbot, and he turned aside to converse with therecluses. The story told by their spokesman, Seleth,was as follows :— He had come from the south of England, alone,and guided only by a heavenly voice. Arise,Seleth, it had seemed to say, 1 and go into theprovince of York, and seek diligently in the valleywhich is called Airedale for a place known asKirkstall, for there shalt thou prepare for a brother-hood a home where they may serve my Son. And who, he asked, is thy Son whom we mustserve ? I am Mary, was the answer; and my Son iscalled Jesus of Nazareth, the Saviour of the world. So Seleth woke ; and having pondered the vision,set his hope on the Lord, and without delay left hishearth and home. The place was easily found, andwhen he had lived there alone for some days, eating
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Kirkstall. 33 only roots and herbs, he was joined by others, andthey adopted the way of life of the brethren ofSerath, having all things in common and supportingthemselves by their toil. As the Abbot listened, he considered the attrac-tions and advantages of the valley—its flowing riverand abundant timber for workshops. It seemed tohim an altogether desirable place, and he accordinglybegan to gently admonish the brethren. Had theyno fears for the safety and sanctification of their souls,poor masterless disciples and priestless laymen asthey were ? He set before them a more perfect way ings. Kirkstall Abbey, says Whitaker, is a monu-ment of the skill, the taste, and the perseverance ofa single man. Mr. Walbran discovered, from aninstrument of Archbishop Murdac in the treasuryof the Dean and Chapter of York, that, at therequest of Abbot Alexander and the monks ofKirkstall, the two chapels of Bracewell and Martonwere raised by the Archbishop to their presentdignity of mother churches,

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