Originally, Kirkham Priory was an Augustinian house. Augustinians followed a much less strict regime than the Benedictine monks, and also took on priestly duties in the community. The Abbey was founded by Walter l’Espec, who lived at Helmsley Castle, and also founded the Cistercian Rievaulx Abbey, close to Helmsley. The monastic site was begun around 1122, on the site of an earlier church. The vast majority of the site was built through the 12th and 13th centuries, with smaller building works in the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 1130’s there was much dissent at the Abbey, following an attempt by the founder, Walter l’Espec, to convert the abbey to a Cistercian rule – this did not succeed. From 1155, and the death of l’Espec, the Abbey passed to the de Roos family, of Helmsley. 1538 with The Dissolution of the Monasteries, Kirkham was surrendered to the Crown, and stripped of all valuables. 1540 – The Abbey was sold on. Stone was taken from the buildings to build Howsham Hall, nearby, and the buildings gradually fell into ruin. During World War II Kirkham Priory was used as a testing and training site for the military. See more at: http://www.yorkshire-east-coast-unofficial-guide.com/kirkham-abbey.html#sthash.PVosVFXH.dpuf
