RIEVAULX ABBEY. 4-23 



be from 6000 to 9000, according to the measurement 

 of the carucate. 



At the dissolution here were 110 fodders of leadj 

 516 ounces of plate^ and 5 bells 



The valuation in 26 of Henry VIII., A. D. 1534* 

 according to Dugdale, amounted to the sum of 278. 

 10s. 2d. per annum ; according to Speed 351. 14s; 

 6d. At the surrender here were twenty-three monks 

 and the abbot. 



The site was granted in exchange for other lands^ 

 in 30 of Henry VIII., to Thomas earl of Rutland, a 

 descendant of Walter Espec, the founder of the ab- 

 bey ; and by Catherine, daughter and heir of Roger 

 earl of Rutland, (by Elizabeth, daughter and heir 

 of the famous Sir Philip Sidney,) married to George 

 Villiers, duke of Buckingham, who in her right be- 

 came possessed hereof : from him it descended to 

 his son, the second duke of Buckingham ; and from 

 him by purchase to Sir Charles Duncombe, Knt. ; 

 from whom it passed to his grand-nephew, Thomas 

 Duncombe, Esq., M. P. for Morpeth, who in 1758, 

 made one of the finest terraces in England, just on 

 the brink of the hill that overlooks the ruins of the 

 abbey, and a temple at each end of the walk ; from 

 whence there is a most beautiful view of the ruins of 

 the abbey, almost perpendicularly underneath. It 

 is now the property of C. S. Duncombe, Esq. 



The first abbot, William, was instituted in 1131 ; 

 and the last was Rowland Blyton. There were in 

 all 31 abbots. 



In 1153, 18 of king Stephen, Walter Espec was 

 buried in this abbey ; whose relict was patroness of 

 it and Kirkham priory. 



