Fountains Abbey: The story of a mediæval monastery

"Fountains Abbey: The Story of a Mediæval Monastery" by George Hodges is a historical narrative that unfurls the tale of Fountains Abbey, a Cistercian monastery in England, from its inception to its dissolution. The story is told through the lens of early 20th-century writing. The book follows the monks as they seek a life of poverty and piety, and explains the religious importance, the history of the architecture, and the daily lives of the monks that are central to the Cistercian Order. The narrative commences with the humble origins of Fountains Abbey beneath an elm tree, chronicling the trials of famine and the challenges that the monks encountered establishing their community. The narrative highlights key figures, St. Stephen Harding and St. Bernard, as it explains how the monastery evolved into a symbol of piety and prosperity. The book is interwoven with the political and social climate of medieval England.