Shap Abbey, Eden, Cumbria, c1955-c1980. View of the abbey, seen from the east and looking down through the ruins towards the west tower, which stands to its first floor height, with a slab, possibly a gravestone, in the foreground. Shap Abbey was a Premonstratensian Abbey founded in 1191 by Thomas, son of Gospatrick, and moved to Shap in 1199. It was dedicated to St Mary Magdalen and was surrendered in 1540. It was taken over and cared for by the state in 1948, and became an English Heritage property in 1999.