Kirkstall Abbey is a Cistercian abbey located north west of Leeds. Historically the monks of Kirkstall were never the richest or poorest of the monastic communities, but they always managed to have strong support from local communities and good relations with high society and the church.

The abbey remained flourishing until the early 16th century until King Henry VIII became head of the Church of England in 1534 and proceeded to dissolve the monasteries and religious houses. On 22 November 1539 the monastic community of Kirkstall was officially dissolved. The land was sold. and in 1890 the Abbey, owned by Leeds City Council, was opened to the public.

Inside the abbey and, in particular in what used to be the guesthouse area, excavations were carried out in the 1980s under the guidance of William Henry St John Hope.

Various objects owned and used by the guests of the abbey were found: belt buckles, brooches, decorative buttons and writing utensils now preserved in the Leeds Museums & Galleries.