The precise date is unknown at which Rievaulx first gained an interest in the land south of the North York Moors. This process may have begun with the three bovates granted to the abbey by the abbot and convent of Whitby by 1138.

Possibly under Abbot Maurice (1145-47) Rievaulx was granted meadow in Rook Barugh, Great Edstone, and Waterholmes (Hovingham parish) and Wombleton. By 1152 the monks had built a house and other buildings at Wombleton and enclosed these by a ditch. Other areas within and adjoining the Vale followed: Spelcross, Skiplam, Muscoates and Welburn.

Under Aelred (1147-67), Walter Engleram gave 30 acres of land and pasture for 1000 sheep at East Heslerton.

In 1157, Henry II ordered that land “below Pickering” be recognised as “waste”, and that Rievaulx be given possession of the land. In 1158, Henry II gave this land to Rievaulx, in exchange for land at Stainton given by Walter de Gant. Also in 1158, Henry II granted two carucates to Rievaulx in “Kilverdemersch” (Marishes) and all his pasture in the waste below Pickering. Other acquisitions followed: Torphin de Allerston, a juror in the investigation of the boundaries of Pickering, gave land in Allerston. Rievaulx eventually became the sole land-holder of the vill of “Hoveton,” a major land-holder at Welburn, and held pasture at Bowforth.

Under Sylvanus (1167-1188) Rievaulx consolidated its holdings in the West of Pickering Vale, including through a series of quitclaims and acquisitions. Emilia Jamroziak has examined these documentary records, including the Rievaulx cartulary which contains a separate section of documents relating to the waste of Pickering. Documentary evidence suggests the boundaries: Costa Beck, Allerston Beck and the Derwent. Several disputes arose over Rievaulx’s holdings within the former waste, and nearby areas. One particular case rumbled on for years: Alan de Ryedale disputed the possession by Rievaulx Abbey of moorland pasture between Welburn, Hoveton and Bowforth. The dispute was initially resolved through trial by battle between champions for Roger de Mowbray (who took the side of the abbey) and Alan de Ryedale. The dispute continued, and had to be settled again in 1176 by a further round of quitclaims and agreements.

Rievaulx also came into dispute with other religious houses over its holdings in the area. The Gilbertine priory of Malton encroached on Rievaulx’s land below Pickering. Pope Alexander III issued a mandate in 1174-76 to stop this trespass, and other encroachments by Kirkham and Sempringham. The issue must not have been resolved by the Pope’s action, as Henry II issued a separate instruction in 1175 to settle it.

A further dispute arose between Rievaulx and Malton between 1240 and 1253, over pasture within the Pickering waste as known as Castle Ings (Eduimersch). The jurors of Pickering Wapentake found that the land had not formed part of the land given by Henry II to Rievaulx, but had been given to Malton Priory by the Fitzjohn / Vescy family (who were also patrons to Rievaulx).

Towards the the end of the monastic period, a series of conventual lease documents give a snapshot of occupation in the western Vale.

Holdings around Marishes included:

The lease of a new house granted in 1533 by Rievaulx  “in the Marres in the Newhouse Lathe”. In 1534, there was a a “Grange-place called Kekmarres” occupied first by Robert Harland then by William Adams and his family, “grange in the Marres called Cowhouse”, and “grange of Newstede in les Marres, Calfcote”. In 1535 Rievaulx granted the “grange-place of Loftesmarres, and the halfe parte of Calfcoitt”.

Around Heslerton: In 1537-38, Rievaulx granted messuage, sheep-gates and common of pasture to Bartholomew Twynge of East Heslerton.

References & further reading: