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Kirkham priory was founded in the 1120's by Walter l'Espec, later Lord of Helmsley. Little is known about the property, perhaps because l'Espec later established two Cistercian houses, one of them the great Rievaulx Abbey. Legend has it that Kirkham Priory was founded in memory of Lord Helmsley's son, who died near the site. Only 20 years after the founding an attempt was made to move the canons elsewhere, but the priory continued until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. |
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