Note 12 — HISTORY
Reading edition
Annales de Waverleia (in Annales Monastici), ed. Luard, ii. 395. Waverley Abbey, which, by the way, has nothing to do with Scott’s “Waverley,” was founded in 1218, being the first Cistercian Abbey in England. The abbey is, of course, in ruins, but the abbat’s mill still exists, and the place retains more of the character of a monastery than any I have seen. Cobbett, who was born at Farnham, not far distant, speaks of the ruins, which probably inspired one of the best passages in his writing. (“Hist. of the Protestant Reformation,” pars. 184, 155.) In one of the abbey’s charters mention is made of the oak of Tilford as existing in the time of Stephen. It is to-day one of the sights of this part of Surrey.