The Cistercian abbot originally slept in the
dormitory with the rest of his community, as stipulated in the
twelfth-century customary of the Order. It soon became common for
abbots to have their own separate room(s) adjoining or adjacent
to the dormitory. This development occurred at Fountains in the
mid-twelfth century, when the abbot occupied what has been described
as ‘a modest
house’. It stood to the east of the latrine-block, which
meant that he could share these facilities with the monks.(93) From
the early fourteenth century, the abbot’s house underwent
alterations. The upper floor was expanded and restructured, to
provide greater privacy and comfort. Partitions were inserted and
a wall-fireplace added. The undercroft was converted to accommodate
three prison cells, each with its own toilet and an iron staple
in the floor, to which the inmate was chained. Latin graffiti was
discovered when the cells were excavated in the nineteenth century,
which suggests that disobedient monks, rather than lay-brothers,
were incarcerated here. The words Vale libertas (‘Farewell
freedom’) could be seen etched onto one of the walls, but
unfortunately the writing is no longer visible.(94)
At the end of the
fourteenth century the abbot’s lodgings
were again expanded, with the addition of an upper storey to the
infirmary cloister and a private chapel created for the abbot above
the chapter-house. The abbot’s lodgings were further enhanced
by Abbot Huby [1495-1526]
whose remodelling of the complex almost doubled its size. Huby
was clearly concerned with comfort and style.
He inserted fine bay-windows, chimneys and latrine-blocks; he created
a long gallery where he might stretch his legs, and an office,
where he could deal with important business.(95) The
sixteenth-century abbot’s house would have been a magnificent
residence, as befitted a man of prominence in the locality and
further afield.