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Hugh of Kirkstall

Hugh of Kirkstall, monk of Kirkstall, compiled the foundation history of Fountains [Narratio de fundatione Fontanis monasterii] and was most likely also the author of the foundation history of his own abbey, Kirkstall. Hugh entered the monastic life at Kirkstall during the abbacy of Ralph Haget; he was commissioned to write the foundation history of Fountains by Abbot John of York. According to Hugh, the first half of his account is based on the memories of Serlo, an elderly monk of the abbey who had witnessed the tumultuous events in 1131/2 and the birth of the Fountains community.