SAWLEY, a liberty (extra-parochial), in the western
division of the wapentake of STAINCLIFFE-and-EWCROSS
West riding of the county of YORK, 4 miles (N. E.) from
Clitheroe, containing, with Tosside, 561 inhabitants. A
Cistercian abbey, in honour of the Blessed Virgin, was
founded here, in 1146, by William de Percy, the revenue
of which, at the dissolution, was estimated at £221.15. 8.
The ruined gate-house has been converted into a cottage,
and the greater part of the nave and transept, with
the foundations of the choir and chapter-house, still
remain.