Roche Abbey
Before the Norman Conquest the lands in this neighbourhood were held by a variety of proprietors, of whom the chief were Earls Harold and Edwin, respectively Lords of Conisborough and Laughton. Shortly after, allies of the Conqueror held the largest share: Roger de Busli, Robert, Earl of Morton, and William de Warren of these Roger de Busli held the largest share.
Reproduced courtesy of The Francis Frith Collection.
The abbey of St Mary of Roche was founded in 1147 by Richard de Busli and Richard Fitzturgis. Its name reflecting the rocky limestone crags surrounding it. It was built on both sides of a stream which divided their land.
Foundation Charters of Roche Abbey »
Monks from Newminster Abbey in Northumberland, were sent to colonise the house. The acquisition of lands and possessions was necessary to support a self-sufficient community. The Dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII (1509-47), brought an end to monastic life in the North. Surrender deeds were signed on 23 June 15, keys handed over, and exhaustive inventories taken of all the monks’ possessions and livestock, which were then claimed as Crown property. The monks were turned out of their homes and the buildings destroyed: lead from the roofs was smelted, timber ripped out and the stones broken up, leaving a scene of desolation and destruction.
Less than 20 of the original 80 monks remained when it was surrendered to the crown in 1538.
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The Abbots
- Durandus: 1147-1159
- Dionyjius: 1159-1171
- Roger de Tickhill: 1171-1179
- Hugh de Wadworth: 1179-1184
- Osmund: 1184-1223
- Reginald: 1223-1238
- Richard: 1238-1254
- Walter (de Wadworth): 1254-1268
- Adam: 1268-1286
- Jordan: 1268-1286
- Philip: 1268-1286
- Thomas: 1286-1287
- Stephen: 1287-1300
- John: 1300
- Robert: 1300-1324
- William: 1324-1330
- Adam de Giggleswick: 1330-1349
- Simon de Baukewell (Bakewell): 1349-1358
- John de Aston: 1358-1396. During the abbacy of John de Aston, the advowson of Roche Abbey changed hands from John Levet to Richard Barry, citizen and merchant of London.
- Robert: 1396-1438
- John Wakefield: 1438-1465. During his time, Roche Abbey obtained a new benefactor and founder in Matilda of York, Countess of Cambridge, who lived Conisborough Castle.
- John Gray: 1465-1479
- William Tikil: 1479-1486
- Thomas Thurne: 1486-1488
- William Burton: 1488-1491
- John Morpeth: 1491-1503/li>
- John Heslington: 1503-1538
- Henry Cundall:1503-1538
In 1770, Capability Brown landscaped the gardens which are part of the Sandbeck Estate,( Sandbeck House built by Richard, the fourth Earl of Scarbrough ) home of the Earls of Scarbrough. The site is managed by English Heritage.
The small rockshelter, known as Stone Mill Shelter in Roche Abbey Vale, was excavated by Rotherham Archaeological Society, headed by Brian Dolby, sometime before 1977. Evidence for possible use of the shelter by people towards the end of the Ice Age was found, as well as evidence for later human use suggested by the presence of a flint arrowhead
Opening Hours
19 March to 30 September
Thursday to Monday 10:00am-5:00pm
Daily in August to 6:00pm
Admission Prices
Adults: £2.90
Children: £1.50
Concessions: £2.20
Special Party Rates available; car/coach park; toilets and refreshments.
Doorstep Walk around Roche Abbey
Charters of Roche Abbey
Deed of Surrender
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