Abbey, Fountains
A Benedictine monastery of the Cistercian Reform, about 21 miles from Ripon, Yorkshire, England , on the Skell River, established by monks from Saint Mary’s Abbey , York, 1132 . Hugh, Dean of York, and two wealthy canons, entered the monastery and brought money and property to the needy community. Monks were sent to Bergen, Norway ; 1146 , and the monasteries of Sawley, Roche, Woburn, Meaux, Kirkstall, and Vandy were also established from Fountains. Devastating incursions of the Scots caused Edward II to declare the monks tax-exempt, 1319 . John de Pberd (de Fon- tibus), Abbot of Fountains, who became Bishop of Ely, 1220 , was one of the most renowned architects of his period. In 1540 the abbey was surrendered to the king. Following a number of changes, it is held by the Marquess of Ripon, and the ruins, including part of the church, chapter house , cloister , refectory, and calefactory , are preserved.