Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire.

reason , because the magnitude of its buildings made it a shelter from the north winds to the remainder of the buildings , which were chiefly residential in their character . This , running east ancl west , then formed the entire north side of the establishment , and was , of course , the most important building therein . The main features of the churches are that they are always built in the form of a

cross . The choir was short ; the east end usually square ( seldom is an apse found , though there are instances ) . The transept had no aisles but undeviatingly two or three small chapels on the eastern side of either wing , and each having its altar ancl piscina . Many had a portico extending the whole of the west front ancl covering the west door , with usually a lean-too roof against the west wall . No lofty towers as seen here ( at Fountains ) until after the rules of the order

became relaxed ; only low towers of one stage , or wooden bell turrets over the crossings . No carving of the human figure was permitted during the first two centuries . Stained glass was prohibited being used . Only royal personages or Bishops might be buried in their churches ; the abbats finding a resting place in their chapterhouse , and the fratres in the cloister quadrangle . They used pointed arches as their arch of construction , and rounded where only required for purposes of decoration . Leaving the church at the eastern end of the south aisle by a door for the access of the monks from the east walk of the cloisters , we find a narrow space between the south end of the

transept and the chapter-house . This was usuall y divided into two parts ; one approached only from the transept , was the sacristy or vestiariam ; and the other , approached by a doorway in the east walk of the cloister quadrangle , the purpose of which is problematical , but most likely was a penitential cell . Next to this was the chapter-house , which , after the church , was the most important building of the monastery . It was approached by a handsome archway , which was always openand not fitted for doors . This was usuall

, y divided by either a double or triple arcade of beautiful pillars and arches , and had a vaulted roof . Next to this was a passage with a door at either end . Its use is doubtful . It has also been called the parlour , and by others the locturium , ancl may have been used on special permission for the monks to see and converse with friends or relatives , but this is very uncertain . Next to this was another passage , most probably the road to the abbat's lodge , which

was usually placed in the precincts on the east side of the conventual buildings proper , and by it the abbat could readil y reach the main parts of the establishment . Lastly , on the east side , is found the frairy or living room of the monks . Its axis was north and south , ancl extended beyond the other buildings in the latter direction . In the early days of the order this was without fireplace , and open to the south at the end without doors . Over this was the dormitory of the monks , approached by a staircase on the outside , ancl the first object noticed on the southern side of the quadrangle as you come from the east walk .

The first building on the south side was the kitchen , appropriately placed next to the refectory . The refectory was approached by a doorway in the centre of the south walk ; its axis was also north and south , and extended southward beyond the other buildings . After the chapter-house ancl the church this was the finest of the monastic buildings , and usually very elegant in its architectural details . Close to its entrance was placed the lavatory . On the west

side of the refectory , but still on the south side of the quadrangle , were various offices , probably the domestic offices and storerooms . _ The most important , probably , in some respects , of the conventual buildings Is the last I shall name ; and it is due to Mr . Sharp to say that he has proved to demonstration what this building was , and its uses . It is the one which takes up the entire west side of the quadrangle , and often projected far beyond it , southward . This was no doubt the Domus Conversorum , or house of the lay brethren or conversi , and contained their day-room and work-room in the lower part , and in its upper storey their dormitory . It was usually the longest