English Heritage is redesigning Rievaulx Abbey’s visitor centre and museum, putting rare artefacts on public display for the first time.
In December 1538, after over 400 years as a working monastery, Rievaulx Abbey was dissolved by King Henry VIII. Today, English Heritage is redesigning Rievaulx’s museum and visitor centre to bring the story of Rievaulx – and 900 years of English history- to life.
The museum is being completely redesigned to create a permanent object exhibition and contemporary museum-gallery space, that will explore the evolution of Rievaulx through history. Many of the special objects featured in the exhibition will be going on display to visitors for the first time.
Susan Harrison, Collections Curator at English Heritage, said: “We will identify the core elements of what the Cistercians were about and how that underpinned everything at Rievaulx. We will invite the visitor to explore this through themes focussing on piety, the people and the place.”
Highlights of the exhibition include an exquisitely crafted Christ in Majesty statue and a lead fother, stamped with King Henry VIII’s seal, which was used to strip lead from the roof during the suppression of the Abbey.
When King Henry VIII broke with Rome and declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of England, the country entered a period of religious turmoil. Monasteries across England were shut down, and Rievaulx was no exception. The Abbot and monks were cast out and pensioned off, and everything of value was seized by King Henry VIII and the Abbey’s new owner, the Earl of Rutland.
However, fortunately some of the treasures of Rievaulx have survived. A range of sculptures, coins, and decorated floor tiles, reveal the great wealth of the Abbey during its heyday. Fragments of painted window glass reveal glimpses of the intricate windows which were stripped out for sale or recycling following the Dissolution.
The exhibition and new vistor centre is due to open in May. As part of the renovation work, English Heritage is asking the public to pledge their support to help bring the story of Rievaulx to life for visitors for years to come.
