Sawley Abbey, Sawley, Lancashire
These are the exposed and buried remains of a Cistercian abbey founded by in 1147 by William de Percy and dedicated to St Mary and St Andrew. The Abbey was suppressed in 1536, but during the Pilgrimage of Grace the monks were restored under a new abbot William Trafford. This so incensed the king, Henry VIII, that he sent his commander, the Earl of Derby, to deal with the monks. As a result William Trafford was executed for treason in 1537 and the abbey was once again suppressed. The remains demonstrate the usual layout of a Cistercian abbey with a church running east-west and forming the north range of the cloister. Domestic buildings formed the southern range, lay-brothers' quarters formed the west range, the monks' quarters and chapter house the east range. This property is now in the care of English Heritage (2010) but managed by the Heritage Trust for the North West. Find out more.
