Fountains had quarries, or rights to quarry stone,
in Skelldale, Nidderdale, Craven and Hutton Moor.(15)
Laverton sandstone was available nearby, just at the edge of the
abbey precinct. The community acquired rights to take millstones
in Crosslands, near its grange at Bradley, some four miles from
Huddersfield, and also at Sawley. (15)John
Norton, a knight of Sawley, granted Fountains all his quarries and
millstones in Stainburne, with free access through his lands to
obtain this, and the right to quarry stone as often as they wished
in all his lands in Sawley, excluding, John's manor and demesne
lands. John stated that this stone was for any building that was
required at the monastery and its granges of Morker, Haddockstones,
Swanley and Brimham, and for roofing and repair work. In addition
to stone, the community could fell any trees in the quarries. John
imposed no restrictions on the monks as to when or often they could
quarry, and stipulated that they should not be hindered by John
or anyone acting in his name.(16)
The manufacture of
pottery and tiles
Fountains manufactured pottery and tiles on its granges of Sutton
and Bradley. This, it seems, was essentially for the community's
own use. From the late twelfth century earthenware was produced
at Winksley, on Sutton grange, which lay to the north of the abbey.
Four kilns have been excavated here
and a number of pottery fragments uncovered. The pottery produced
here was rather distinctive, and adopted a pattern similar to Dutch
pottery from Aardenburg. (17)
The community also manufactured pottery at Bradley
grange, near Huddersfield, at Potter Heaton.(18)
Tiles were produced at Cayton, in Lower Nidderdale, some four miles
from the abbey.(19)