The Devotion to the Virgin Mary at Rievaulx Abbey

Rievaulx, like all Cistercian monasteries, was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The mother of Christ, the Virgin was by far the most important saint in the Middle Ages. Join senior properties historian Dr Michael Carter who’ll guide you through the role of the Virgin in daily life of monks who lived and prayed at Rievaulx between the 12th and early 16th centuries. The tour coincides with the feast of the Annunciation to the Virgin on 25 March, one of the most important holy days in the Cistercian year.

Members will have an opportunity to talk to Dr Carter about a temporary exhibition at the abbey on the theme of the Annunciation. This includes many rarely seen objects, including a beautifully illuminated early 16th-century Cistercian prayer book. Light refreshments (a hot drink and slice of cake) will be served after the tour. After which you will have free time to explore the site, and the temporary exhibition including sculptures and depictions of the Virgin Mary.

This event has been graded as moderate access as there will be time spent outside walking across uneven ground, which could be slippery in places. Please dress for the weather.