William II founded St Mary’s Abbey as a Benedictine Monastery in 1088. The abbey receives a mention in Charles Dickens’ novel Nicholas Nickleby which refers to a monk living in St Mary’s. The abbey was eventually closed by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries. The world famous York Mystery Plays were performed at the abbey between 1951 and 1988. For those wishing to see more of the remains of St Mary’s, the Chapter House archway has been reconstructed inside the nearby Yorkshire Museum.