go to home page go to byland abbey pages go to fountains abbey pages go to kirkstall abbey pages go to rievaulx abbey pages go to roche abbey pages
The Cistercians in Yorkshire title graphic
 

Text only version

About the Project

Multimedia

Abbeys

People

Glossary

Bibliography

Contact Us


Abbot Richard (III) of Fountains

He showed the way by his life and became a pattern to his flock, ever most watchful lest his words should be out of harmony with his deeds or his teaching with his life.
[Narratio in Oxford, Ruins of Fountains Abbey p.210]

Originally from Yorkshire, Richard had answered Bernard of Clairvaux’s call to join his community – ‘the heavenly Jerusalem.’ Richard served as precentor of Clairvaux and then as abbot of Vauclair. Bernard chose him to lead the Fountains community through difficult times and to restore stability. After initial difficulties, Richard enjoyed a long ad successful abbacy. He was the first abbot of Fountains to be buried in the chapter-house there.