228 RIPON, FOUNTAINS AND DURHAM. 
caused subscriptions to flow in, and a re-building was com- 
menced. Now the original basilica of Archbishop Rogers 
(tempo. 1100) was without aisles, but when the church was 
put in repair in the 15th and 16th centuries, the nave was 
re-erected with these additions. At the same time the 
south and east arches of the tower were rebuilt in the 
style of the period, and the piers of the other sides were 
cased in, evidently with the intention of putting in new 
arches also, but probably funds failed, and the builders, 
bowing to the force of circumstances, courageously left the 
work unfinished in a manner that is perhaps absolutely 
unique if not architectural. 
The choir contains some beautiful oak tabernacle work of 
about the year 1489. This is without doubt, as the date 
is carved upon it. 
The crypt; probably built 1200 years ago, is attributed to 
St. Wilfred, and is supposed to have been a vault under 
the high altar for the deposition of the relics of the saints. 
FOUNTAINS ABBEY. 
NE of the first things to strike the mind of the 
observer is the immense size of this abbey, the 
monastery and grounds, originally covering ten or twelve 
acres, the ruins now occupying about two acres The 
river Skell skirts the site, which is one of the most beauti- 
ful that can be imagined. In 1132 certain Benedictine 
monks of the Abbey of St. Mary’s, at York, fell out with 
their brethren upon points of discipline, and severed their 
connection therewith. These dissentients, viz: the prior, 
sub-prior, and eleven monks, appealed for Archbishop 
Thurstan’s protection, and he sent them to Ripon. Joined 
by Robert of Whitby, they were allowed a settlement in 
Skelldale, and here they lived under the shelter of the trees 
only, for a few years. The dean and two canons of York 
