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construction that sat overlooking the North Sea . I ’ d been slapped with a palm full of realisation , I was now seeing what the ‘ oracle ’ had been banging on about . This thing was huge and although in some need of an interior designers touch the superstructure was mostly intact .
Whitby Abbey , a magnificent building that has a history dating back at least one thousand four hundred years , and more than likely well into the Roman occupation .
The original monastery was destroyed during the Danish raids of the ninth century and remained so for over two hundred years . When William of Normanby laid claim to the English mainland something special happened and the land around Whitby was reformed and the building of the abbey started .
During its almost one-thousandyear history the abbey has seen dramatic change . Religions have changed , the Gemans fired shells , and an English king took the treasures and attempted to destroy the building .
“ Imbecile ,” I heard the ‘ oracle ’ mutter .
Following the coast a theme was forming . Mentions of Danes , ruined buildings , and my partner shaking his head and muttering . I tried to take it all in however , only a slight interest in history meant I struggled to see the significance . Who were the Danes ? When were the Romans here ? And why so many ruined religious buildings ?
Oh no , would this never end . We soon approached another destroyed building . Not as spectacular as Whitby but just as beautiful we ’ d reached the Gisborough Priory . Completed in the gothic style of the thirteenth century all that remains today are a free-standing arched wall , a few minor foundations and a magnificent natural garden with features created from the remains of the original structure .
The ’ oracle ’ seemed in love as a man with the broadest North Yorkshire accent I had ever heard spread word of the history of the
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