Furness Abbey, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
A view across the cloister courtyard at Furness Abbey, showing the ruins of the chapter house and church. St Mary of Furness was founded in 1123 by Stephen who became King of England. By Tudor times it was the second richest Cistercian house in England. The surrender of Furness abbey took place in 1537. In 1539 the abbey and its land was granted to Henry VIII's first minister, Thomas Cromwell. In 1923 the abbey was put into the care of the Office of Works by the Cavendish family. It is now in the care of English Heritage (2010).
