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Fountains Abbey: History
Fountains Abbey: Buildings
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An unsuccessful mission When the illustrious hermit, Robert of Knaresborough,
was nearing death in 1218, the monks of Fountains hurried to his cell with
a Cistercian habit, so that the holy man could be buried in the white garment.
Robert had at one time been a monk of Newminster Abbey,
Fountains’ daughter-house in Northumberland, but declined to wear
this habit and foretold that upon his death, the Fountains community would
attempt to claim his body for burial at their abbey. Robert warned that
this should not be allowed - he would be buried where he died. Robert’s
words were prophetic for upon his death the monks arrived to collect his
body, which they probably intended to bury in the new choir of the church,
that was under construction. Their visit, however, was in vain. The monks
were repelled by soldiers from Knaresborough and returned to Fountains
empty-handed. Robert was instead buried in the Chapel of the Holy Cross,
which became a pilgrim spot and a place of healing. |