In Cumbria, on the left bank of the River Lowther

The abbey was founded at Preston Patrick in Kendale as the abbey of St Mary Magdalene by Thomas son of *Gospatrick (KNOWLES)  *Gospatric  (COLVIN).  He held lands in Westmorland of William of Lancaster, feudal lord of Kendale and Wyresdale.  William founded Cockersand and Thomas was one of its first benefactors (COLVIN).   Foundation date was probably after 1192.  The abbey moved to Shap in the founder’s lifetime (he died 1201).  It was a daughter of Cockersand (KNOWLES).

The place in Shap where the abbey was founded was known as Hepp, referring to the fallen megaliths of the prehistoric stone circle called Shap Stones.  Hepp became Hiap, then Shap  (COLVIN).

Nearly all the abbey’s records have been lost, but its endowments included the valley of Wet Sleddale, the village of Reagill, and Milburn Grange near Appleby.  It also controlled the churches of Shap, Warcop and Bampton and a leperhouse at Appleby.  Canons served all 3 churches in the 13th century and probably the 14th and 15th as well (COLVIN).

The mid 13th century building plans are extant.  The building progressed so slowly that the aisle on the north side of the nave may have been thought up during construction.  The tower at the west end was added in the 15th century.  It had a 2 aisle chapter house.  The warming-house fireplace is visible.  The refectory was built over an undercroft.  There was an infirmary to the east or south-east of the claustral block;  it had an aisleless hall but no chapel  (CLAPHAM).

The number of canons increased probably to over 20, but dropped after the Black Death.  In 1379, there were 6 canons.  At about the time of the dissolution there were 20 canons (KNOWLES).

Abbot Richard Redman (family seat at Levens – COLVIN) retained the abbacy in commendam  after being consecrated bishop of St Asaph in 1471;  he was translated to Exeter in 1495 and to Ely in 1501, dying in 1505 (KNOWLES).  He retained the abbacy at Shap in spite of the translations and reigned c. 1458 to 1505;  during his time the west tower was built (COLVIN).