Fountains Abbey

Last weekend Bill and I took a trip out to Fountains Abbey. We went to Fountains three years ago when we were here for Rachael's wedding, and took the two-hour guided tour, so this time we just went to explore and have fun. 

It took Cistercian Monks 300 years to build Fountains Abbey and throughout the 12th - 14th centuries it became a safe place for rich people to spend a few weeks away from their worries and responsibilities. Basically, it was a medieval spa / retreat center that cost a pretty penny. The monks made excellent food and beer, and had private privies and plumbing (for fresh water, not for the privies). All of this fancy living started rubbing off on the monks, who, over time, began enjoying their own food, drink, and "household women" instead of, you know, being pious. The Abbots and monks at Fountains became arrogant, ostentatious, and "too big for their britches." (Quote from my history of Yorkshire teacher, Dr. Sid Brown.)

Fountains Abbey front view

When Henry VIII was in the process of separating from the church of Rome, he had most of the abbeys, churches, etc. torn down and the catholic clergy sent away (if they were lucky). Because of Fountains Abbey's high-and-mighty acting clergy, Henry VIII was more than happy to destroy the location, as it (and the clergy) were becoming more and more problematic. 

This is all that's left of what one can only assume was once a glorious Abbey / vacation spot. 

Fountains Abbey entrance - side view

I can imagine what the stained glass looked like inside those giant windows (and all of the small side windows), and I am sure the reality for the 12th century folks was even more magnificent than my imagination. 

A view through the front door of the back (now empty) stained glass window. Again, entering the Abbey for the first time must have been a mighty impressive sight! 

Entry and back window

All of the archways from within the Abbey are impressive, even without a ceiling! 

Abbey hallway

Below is one of the hallways in another building (right next to the Abbey). If my memory from the tour we took several years ago is correct, this was part of the hospitium (as in hospital) for either the visiting (paying) well-to-do folks from all over Yorkshire and beyond. They called where the visitors slept a hospitium  because you go there for hospitality. During the medieval period you would go to the infirmary if you were sick and a hospital for a bit of a vacation. 

Hospitium hallway

We followed a trail around to the water garden, and got a great view of the back of Fountains Abbey through the meadow. Although the skies were gray that day, it was actually a warm and a rather nice day. We had fun :-)

Meadow and Fountains Abbey