The British Isles & Ireland

What do Jervaulx monks and Wensleydale cheese have in common? In the 11th century the Norman Conquest had a major impact on life in Britain. It brought far-reaching changes, some would say order, wealth, landowning and agriculture, to an island that largely had been run in an unruly way. It was during this period that the religious order of Jervaulx monks came from Normandy and Flandres to Britain – in particular Yorkshire – with their desire to be self-sufficient as well as spread the word of their faith in a positive way. Their capabilities included sheep farming, cheesemaking and horse-breeding, and they are widely acknowledged as the original makers of Wensleydale cheese.