The remains of Roche Abbey viewed from Maltby Beck, Maltby, Rotherham

Taken from beside a weir at Maltby Beck, John Gay's view captures the transept walls of the ruins of Roche Abbey, a Cistercian monastery that was founded in 1147.

Following the Dissolution, the abbey and Sandbeck estate were acquired by the Saunderson family. In the 18th century, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was engaged to landscape the parkland, incorporating the ruins in the design.

Historic England Archive AA081301