 Waverley Abbey
Founded in 1128 by the Bishop of Winchester, this was the first abbey in
England where monks of the Cistercian order settled. Although it ranked
as an important abbey, from the point of view that six daughter-houses
were founded from Waverley, in itself it was a relatively small and
plain monastery. Today, however, in the meadow setting beside the River
Wey, the slowly-crumbling ruins of this almost-forgotten monastery
still retain their sense of timelessness.
With very little of the church
now visible, it is difficult to determine the ground plan, but a section
of the square chancel, showing three lancet windows, help with the understanding
of simplicity and austerity that was apparent at Waverley Abbey.
Perhaps the most noteworthy
fragment of this abbey to remain standing is the undercroft of the
lay brothers refectory. A good section of 13th century vaulting still
exists, supported by slender columns with circular capitals. The south
gabled end stands almost to full height, displaying two pairs of lancet
windows at the lowest level, with a single traceried window above each
pair, and a central round window between those.
By comparison to many of
the most important abbeys which, built of smooth sandstone in various
colours looked invitingly warm and elegant, Waverley Abbey looks sadly stark
and drab with its walls dressed in rough flintwork. As Waverley Abbey was a
significant starting point in the Cistercian movement, I find it remarkable that
this abbey lacks the ornateness of Tintern Abbey,
the enormity of Rievaulx Abbey
and the wealth of Fountains Abbey. Notwithstanding these factors, Waverley Abbey ruins
do possess a strange and thought-provoking quality, and the site provides
a tranquil arena for the imagination to piece together what transpired
nearly 900 years ago. |
