Summary
South-eastern part of masonry remains of the central complex of Fountains Abbey
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- CISTERCIAN MONASTERY (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
Description
This component of the abbey lies to the south-east of the main complex. It is one of the most completely demolished parts of the abbey, and was not evident as surface masonry until re-excavation in the 1840's.
It is probable that the buildings were demolished for building materials in the mid-sixteenth century. The excavator - J.R.Walbran - argued, on flimsy evidence, that the stone was used in the construction of Fountains Hall (30173), but it seems much more likely that it was in fact sold by the Gresham estate in Ripon. This was the nearest part of the abbey to the city, and would have been even more easily reached while the road via Whitcliffe was still in use. Eighteenth century sources show the area as little more than undulating ground - although the issues of the tunnels on which the infirmary was built must have been visible. Explanations of the abbey of the same date demonstrate the lack of knowledge of the buildings represented here, and ascribe its functions to other parts of the structure.
The ruins were excavated by JRW in the period 1847-51, at the expense of Earl de Grey. In general, both complexes were discovered to have been demolished to within 60cm of former floor height. The only exception to this seems to be an isolated column of masonry, retaining a fireplace at first floor level in the Lodging. The reason why this one place remained untouched is a mystery. Sub-ground level masonry was rather better preserved, especially in the Abbot's Lodging, with a number of such rooms, and the undercroft of the Infirmary.
The masonry was consolidated much as exposed, and remains exposed today. The consolidation included areas of tiling in the Infirmary, and others may well survive sub-surface. Two of the Infirmary columns were reconstructed, apparently during the 1850's campaign.
Some excavation-derived architectural fragments were used to form walls (very much like those seen at Jervaulx) around the greater drops in the Infirmary. These gradually deteriorated, and were removed in the present century. The sub-surface rooms have been treated to "Ministry of Tidy Monuments" style stone chippings on their floors, but aside from this the area has not been overly "presented" or tidied up with the exception of some low railings above the river at the east side of the Infirmary.
A Civil War period coin hoard was recovered from one of the Infirmary tunnels during the Walbran excavations.
A path route joining the abbey to de Grey Walk was excavated in 1993 (prior to installing grass hardening) by Kate Wilson of English Heritage.
An area of the Infirmary and Lodgings may remain unexcavated to the south of the complex, adjoining this path.
Plans are in hand for further safety railings around the complex.
References
- SZP10668 - Graphic material: Carter. 1790. Sketch of the east front of the abbey.
- SZP10676 - Graphic material: J Reeve. 1892. Reconstruction drawing of the Infirmary, Fountains Abbey.
- SZP10800 - Graphic material: J Truelove. 1909. Phase plan of the abbot's lodging and infirmary, Fountains Abbey.
- SZP13055 - Slide: The abbey from near Robin Hood's Well.(Glass slide). SMR38.
- SZP13986 - Slide: 01/01/1890. The abbey church and abbots lodging from de Grey's Walk (Glass slide). SMR83.
- SZP14520 - Slide: The abbey church, chapter house and infirmary (Glass slide). SMR159.
- SZP1546 - Graphic material: J Buckler. 1818. Measured survey of the abbey and surrounding buildings.
- SZP1552 - Graphic material: J Truelove. 1909. Plan of tunnels under the south side of Fountains Abbey.
- SZP15722 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1985. The Abbey Infirmary. A3-32-19.
- SZP1633 - Graphic material: R Carrick. Lithograph of Fountains Abbey from the east.
- SZP1820 - Graphic material: 1932. Line drawing of Fountains Abbey, from river level near the Infirmary.
- SZP20165 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1910. The cells under the abbot's lodging. SMR333.
- SZP21803 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1985. Part of the Abbey infirmary from the north-east. A1-07-10.
- SZP23022 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1856. The south-eastern part of the abbey, from de Grey Walk. SMR433.
- SZP23369 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1910. The abbey church and infirmary from near Robin Hood's Well. SMR300.
- SZP26748 - Slide: The abbey church and infirmary from near Robin Hood's Well (Glass slide). SMR97.
- SZP27188 - Slide: The infirmary. (Glass slide). SMR51.
- SZP27214 - Slide: The Infirmary and abbey church (Glass slide). SMR127.
- SZP29970 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1925. The abbey church and guest house (set of small photos). SMR260.
- SZP30131 - Photograph - colour: View of the abbey and infirmary from near Robin Hood's Well. SMR181.
- SZP30692 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1985. The Abbey Infirmary. A3-32-06.
- SZP30693 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1985. The Abbey Infirmary. A3-31-08.
- SZP32055 - Photograph - black and white: 18/08/1896. Ripon Historical Pageant - "The Protectorate" including part view of Infirmary. SMR285.
- SZP3257 - Article in serial: 1818. On the present state of Fountains Abbey.
- SZP33388 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1856. View of the abbey from the south, including the newly excavated infirmary. SMR434.
- SZP34624 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1910. East end of the infirmary tunnels. SMR331.
- SZP35908 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1910. The infirmary chapel. SMR329.
- SZP36397 - Slide: The infirmary and abbey church (Glass slide). SMR115.
- SZP37716 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1890. The abbey and infirmary from the river side to the south-east. Frith's 6640. SMR177.
- SZP3790 - Graphic material: J R Walbran. 1849. Watercolour of the passage wall from the Infirmary to the Abbey.
- SZP40242 - Slide: The abbey church and infirmary (Glass slide). SMR133.
- SZP41492 - Slide: 01/01/1919. The abbey church and guest house (Glass slide). SMR133.
- SZP41922 - Slide: 01/01/1896. The abbey and infirmary from the path to the south (glass slide). SMR108.
- SZP42180 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1886. The abbey and infirmary. SMR389.
- SZP43978 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1925. Church and Infirmary, from near Robin Hood's Well (set of small photos). SMR259.
- SZP44403 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1907. Abbey and Infirmary from Robin Hood's Walk. SMR233.
- SZP45385 - Slide: The abbey church, chapter house and abbot's lodging (Glass slide). SMR128.
- SZP45984 - Photograph - black and white: 01/01/1910. The infirmary cellar. SMR330.
- SZP45988 - Slide: The abbey and the infirmary (Glass slide). SMR151.
- SZP46529 - Slide: The interior of the infirmary (Glass slide). SMR95.
- SZP5636 - Graphic material: J Buckler. 1817. Pencil sketch of the vaulting of the cellar of the Infirmary.
- SZP6204 - Graphic material: J R Walbran. 1849. Watercolour of the view through one of the Infirmary tunnels.
- SZP8323 - Map: J R Walbran. 1849. Plan of the excavated area of the Infirmary, Fountains Abbey.
- SZP8473 - Graphic material: J Reeve. 1892. Reconstruction drawing of the Lay Brothers infirmary and the east guest house, Fountains Abbey.
- SZP9285 - Graphic material: J Reeve. 1892. Reconstruction drawing of the Lay Brother's Infirmary at Fountains Abbey.
- SZP9648 - Map: J Buckler. 1818. Detailed measured plan of the abbey ruins.
Other Statuses and References
None Recorded
Associated Events
- ENA3852 - Field Survey,
- ENA5845 - Heritage Assessment, SAMC application, Infirmary Path
- ENA7433 - Archaeological Intervention, Excavations to investigate collapsed culvert, Infirmary, Fountains Abbey
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
- Related to: The Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary at Fountains, Fountains and Studley Royal (Monument) - 30432*0 / MNA145544