Shap

Curwen (1932) writes: "Shap Abbey of the Premonstratensian Order and dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, was founded by Thomas de Workington at Preston Patrick, c. 1191. See Records of Kendale, ii, 298. But in order to find a more secluded habitation the monks removed their quarters to Shap between 1197 and 1200 [...] Thomas de Workington, founder of the abbey, gave the Rectory of this church to the monks serving God there. Bishop Bernard (1155–1186) confirmed this grant saving to the vicarage the revenues of the altarage; and in 1263 bishop Robert de Chauncy again confirmed it together with a grant to the abbot and convent in consideration of the smallness of their revenues, that the canons might officiate in the churches of Shap and Bampton by two or three of their number, one of whom was to be presented to the bishop as vicar to be answerable to him in spiritual matters, while the other was to be answerable to the abbot and convent in temporal matters; yet so that in each church they should have one secular chaplain to hear confessions and execute such other matters as cannot so properly be done by their regular canons." A font here is noted in the Historic Churches Preservation Trust (Recent Grants report of 16 March 2006): "old 12th century font remains" [unclear whether 'remains' is a verb or a noun in this context]. This same source mentions "a large font from Shap granite in 1879", nut English Heritage [Listing NGR: NY5639215338] (1968) has: "Octagonal stone pillar font at east end of south aisle presented by Mrs Bindloss in 1880; cylindrical polished granite font at west end of south aisle presented by Shap Granite Co. in 1899."