The Cistercian Abbey of Vaudey, or Vallis Dei, was founded in 1147-48 and dissolved in 1536. The abbey was, for a very short time, sited at Bytham, but was moved to this location very soon after the land at Bytham was found to be unsuitable. A little masonry, including the base of a clustered pier near the south end of the lake, is all that remains of Vaudey Abbey. The church was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin, and in the 18th century, one of the places in the park was still called Virgins Well. The quarries of black marble which once belonged to the Abbey, were being worked in the 18th century. The site of abbey is marked by grass-covered mounds that extend for a short distance either side of the road through Grimsthorpe Park and are enclosed by coniferous plantations. {1}{2} The site of Vaudey Abbey was originally called 'Broche Count'. The site was excavated in 1851, for stone to rebuild Swineshead Church. A tower pillar was exposed, together with a tile floor. {3}