The Disputed Election at Fountains Abbey Revisited

A re-examination of the disputed election at Fountains Abbey reveals that its repercussions extended far beyond the previously documented six-year period, with disruptions to monastic life persisting sporadically for nearly two more decades. This study identifies the two most likely contenders involved in the dispute and examines how rival magnates supported them, shedding light on why one candidate ultimately prevailed. It also demonstrates that the fallout from this incident continued to influence the abbey's dynamics for over half a century, providing new insights into the long-term social and political consequences of monastic leadership disputes.

Spence, M. (2019). The Disputed Election at Fountains Abbey Revisited. Journal of Medieval Monastic Studies, 8, 207–233. https://doi.org/10.1484/j.jmms.5.117964