button to main menu   West's Guide to the Lakes, 1778/1821

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Page 173:-
all the refinements of liberal taste and flourishing industry.
  Shap Abbey
Hawes-water may be conveniently visited from Penrith, returning from it by the ruins of Shap (or Heppe) abbey to Shap. The remains of this ancient structure are inconsiderable, yet picturesque. A square tower, with piked windows, is the chief part of the ruins, and does honor to the reign of King John, when it was built for canons of the praemonstratensian order, that had been first placed at Preston-patrick, near Kendal, by Thomas, son of Gospatrick.
This abbey was dedicated by the first founder to St. Mary Magdalene, and he endowed it with a large portion of his lands, in Preston, near Kendal. His son translated it to Magdalene vale, near Shap, and further endowed it with the lands of Karl, or Karl-wath. Robert de Vitripont (Vipon) first Lord of Westmorland, confirmed the preceding grants, and added to that of Matilda his mother, and Ivo his brother, the tithes of all his mills, and of the game killed in all his lands in Westmorland. This grant is dated on Saturday, April 24, in the 13th of King John.
Shap to Kendal
From this sequestered spot, continue the route to the village of Shap, a proper place for refreshment, before you face Shap-fells,
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gazetteer links
button -- Beacon Hill
button -- Kendal to Shap
button -- Shap
button -- Shap Abbey

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