The undercroft of the western range is today
a long open space. However, in the Middle Ages this area would
have been screened off to form various chambers, thereby giving
a very different sense of space. At the northernmost end, nearest
the church, was the outer parlour. Here, merchants might conduct
business, and the monks could speak with any family and friends
who visited. Adjoining this was a six-bay cellar. Grains, salted
foods and other provisions, as well as hides and wool that were
to be taken to market or sold to merchants might be stored here.
The entrance to the cloister stood beside the cellar; access to
the cloister was closely monitored by a porter, who had a seat
here. The lay-brothers’ refectory occupied the remaining
twelve bays. The tables here would have been arranged around the
walls and the lay-brothers, like the monks, would have sat facing
inwards. In contrast to the monks’ refectory, there was no
reading during the lay-brothers’ meals and consequently there
was no pulpitum here. Nevertheless, the lay-brothers were to remain
silent while eating and to observe good table manners. The lay-brothers
ate the same food as the monks but generally received larger portions
on account of their heavy labour. They were also served a light
breakfast, the mixt, which was taken by novices, servers and the
infirm. Their food was prepared in the same kitchen as the monks’ and
was passed to the refectory through a serving hatch. The lay-brothers
at Fountains may also have gathered in the refectory for their
weekly chapter meeting.
An open-plan dormitory occupied the entire
upper level of the western range. Each lay-brother, like each monk,
would have had a mat,
pillow and a light covering, but unlike the monks, the lay-brothers
had animal skins rather than woollen blankets.(77) The open flight
of stone stairs which provided daytime access to the lay-brothers’ dormitory
has survived in its entirety.