thither, and to them the park of Stanley was given, when the monastery obtained the name of “De Parco
Stanley,” by which it was at that period generally known. There is a legend that the king gave the canons as
much land as they could encircle in a day, with a plough drawn by deer; and this story is represented on the
windows of Morley church, which are supposed to have been removed from Dale Abbey. These canons,
nevertheless, not having sufficient means for their support, returned to Tupholm, whence they came.
William-de-Grendon, Lord of Ockbrook, supplied their place with canons from Welbeck, but they also soon
deserted the new monastery, for want of sufficient sustenance. Geoffrey-de-Salicosa Mare, having procured
an establishment of nine canons, from Newhouse, in Lincolnabire, they were admitted into the
Premonstratention Order, and settled at the new monastery in Stanley park, and by their zeal and diligence a
Noble Abbey reared its head, at a short distance from the humble structure of the first devotee, which for
wealth and magnificence was among the first in the kingdom, and was endowed with the advowson of the
churches of Heanor, Ilkestone, and Kirk Hallam. The Church was of stately dimensions, with several large
windows on each side, and one large chancel window at the east end, the noble arch of which is still
standing in a field on Mr. Malin‟s farm. It is 16 feet wide, and 40 feet from the ground to the keystone, and
is in a good state of preservation, some expense having been incurred by the late Lord Stanhope, to prevent
its falling into decay. Dale Abbey was founded in 1204, and surrendered to the crown, 1589, when their
revenues were estimated at £144 4s. per annum. Willis says that it was surrendered by John Staunton, the
last abbot, and 16 monks; but it appears by the commissioners‟ accounts of that date, that John Bede, the
last abbot, had a pension of £26 13s. 4d., and 16 monks various smaller pensions. The whole number of
abbots was 18, and the period of their government 312 years, 6 weeks, 1 day. Francis Pole, Esq., who then