In the late 12th century, the historian William of Newburgh described Byland Abbey as one of the shining lights of northern monasticism. The abbey rose to be one of the largest of the Savigniac order in Britain and the remains of the buildings, particularly the great church, are significant in the development of northern architecture in the second half of the 12th century. Sacked by a Scots army after the battle of Shaws Moor in 1322, it was suppressed in 1538; the buildings then became ruinous and a source of building stone for local people.
