Rievaulx in North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Infirmary

Rievaulx Abbey

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 22, 2025

1. Infirmary Marker

Inscription. Sick and elderly monks were cared for in the infirmary, which was built in the late 1150s when Aelred was abbot. Aelred suffered from serious illness in the later years of his life. This meant that he could no longer sleep in the monks' dormitory, which was expected of Cistercian abbots. The building to the left of the infirmary cloister was his house. It was used as the abbot's lodging until the end of the 15th century.

The small number of monks in the late Middle Ages no longer required such a large infirmary. In the 1490s Abbot John Burton converted the building into an impressive residence for himself. Above the door is the only figurative sculpture at the abbey that is still in its original location. It depicts the Annunciation to the Virgin, to whom Rievaulx was dedicated. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1159.

Location. 54° 15.436′ N, 1° 7.02′ W. Marker is in Rievaulx, England, in North Yorkshire. It can be reached from Rievaulx Bank. On the grounds of Rievaulx

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Abbey. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Rievaulx Bank, Rievaulx, England YO62 5LB, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in England’s Yorkshire & The Humber.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chapter House (within shouting distance of this marker); Reuse and Recycle (within shouting distance of this marker); Refectory (within shouting distance of this marker); East End of the Church (within shouting distance of this marker); A Spiritual Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Landscape and Estates (within shouting distance of this marker); Cloister (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rievaulx.

Rievaulx Abbey Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 22, 2025

2. Rievaulx Abbey Ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.