Confirmation of land gifted to the monks at Fountains Abbey, circa 1135

This document, dated just three years after the monks first arrived in their new home, records part of the wood of Hereso being given to the monks by Thurstan the Archbishop of York. With the land granted to them the monks could start work on building the Abbey and they gradually increased their land ownership.

This is the oldest surviving document of Fountains Abbey and dates from around 1135, making it over 880 years old. We believe it is the oldest document held by the West Yorkshire Archive Service.

Reference: WYL150/925

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