Byland-with-Wass, North Riding

Description
Byland-with-Wass (formerly Byland Abbey), a township in Coxwold parish, in the N. R. Yorkshire, 1 1/2 mile from Coxwold station on the N.E.R., and 8 1/2 milea ESE of Thirsk. Acreage, 2568; population, 162. A Cistercian Abbey was removed hither in 1147 from Old Byland, and given at the dissolution to Sir William Pykering. The west front, one end of the transept, part of the aisles, and a fragment of the central tower still stand, and are in transitional Norman. Edward II. while dining here with a small retinue in 1322 was surprised by a body of Scots, and had a narrow escape.