Fountain's Abbey - North of York

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When Brendan Geary drove me south from Durham to Ampleforth we stopped to have a look at Fountain's Abbey.

This Cistercian Abbey was founded in 1135 adjacent to the Skell River. It became a flourishing community which included many lay Brothers who served as masons, tanners, shoemakers and smiths, or in brewing or baking. By the middle of the 13th Century, it was one of the wealthiest religious houses in England. Economic collapse came in the 14th Century when bad harvests, Scots’ raids and the Black Death exacerbated the effects of financial mismanagement.

The Monastery recovered and in due course the abbot even sat in parliament. Dissolution came in 1539 at the hands of King Henry VIII after his disagreement with the Pope over the annulment of his marriage. In 1540 the abbey buildings and over 200 hectares were sold by the crown. The Abbey was subsequently plundered and fell into disrepair.

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Photos

A Pheasant enjoys the Ruins
Pheasants are native birds of Asia