FURNESS ABBEY, LANCASHIRE
=How to get there.=—Train from Euston. L. and N.W. Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—Furness Abbey.
=Distance from London.=—262 miles.
=Average Time.=—Varies between 6 and 7-1/2 hours.
1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—Single 38s. 2d. … 21s. 9d
Return 75s. 4d (available for one month).
=Accommodation Obtainable.=—"Furness Abbey Hotel," etc.
=Alternative Route.=—Train from St. Pancras. Midland Railway.
In the days of its prosperity Furness must have been one of the most important monastic establishments in the kingdom, although its completeness did not come about until many years after the date of its foundation in 1127 by Stephen, at that time Earl of Mortain and Boulogne. The situation chosen was on the banks of a stream flowing through a narrow fertile valley—the favourite position for Cistercian abbeys. The monks came originally from Savigny in Normandy. Having become very richly endowed, the foundation of the abbey was confirmed by the charters of twelve successive sovereigns and the bulls of various popes. Remarkable privileges were given to the abbot, who had great authority in the whole of the surrounding district, even the military element being, to a certain extent, dependent upon him.
A register known as the Abbot's Mortuary was kept at Furness throughout three centuries. This was almost unique among Cistercian monasteries, for only names of those abbots who, having presided for ten years, continued at the abbey and died abbots there, were entered in the register. During 277 years, therefore, only ten names were written upon the pages. When Henry VIII., in 1537, suppressed Furness Abbey, it was surrendered by Roger Pyke, who was abbot at the time.
The ruins of the abbey to be seen to-day are of Norman and Early English character, and the general hue of the stone-work is a ruddy brown. Their massive appearance almost suggests a shattered castle; but the share the abbey took in military matters is better illustrated from the fact that they built a watch-tower on the top of a hill rising from the walls of the monastery, and commanding a view over the sea and the whole district known as Low Furness. From this height the monks on watch were enabled to give warning by signals of the approach of an enemy. The painted glass, formerly in the east window, was removed many years ago to the east window of Bowness Church in Westmorland.
[Illustration: Photochrom Co., Ltd.
FURNESS ABBEY.
It was founded in 1127, and gradually grew in importance until even the military element in the district became to some extent dependent upon the abbot.]