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The Cistercians who built the Abbey at Byland in the 12th
century were not only monks, but had a large farming and
commercial empire. The immensity of their prosperity is indicated
by the fact that the nave is the largest of any church in England.
The surrounding countryside displays numerous archaeological
remains including mill races, bleach ponds, dye works and fish
ponds. The name "Grange" indicates a farm owned and worked by the
monks. Here at Oldstead Grange we have the largest medieval earth
dam in England which created a 30 acre lake across the bottom of
our land.
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