Source D is a plan showing the changes to the infirmary in the C14th and C15th. The source tells us about the changes that are going to be made to the infirmary and that private compartments were added. It also shows Fountains role as a hospital and a hotel because of the apartments. It tells us the date and the time span of which the changes were going to be made. The private compartments hints to rich people stopping there. The source also show’s the Abbey as constructors. However, the source does not tell us, what equipment was going to be inside the infirmary, which could have changed their role because, if the infirmary was going to have surgeon equipment, they would be an operating theatre as well as a hospital. It also doesn’t tell us how much it cost and whether it was free or not, if it was free it would be a role of a charity and community service, but if you had to pay for the healthcare it would have the role of a business. It also does not show a scale of size of the infirmary, the bigger the infirmary, hints to more people meaning more business. It also doesn’t tell us what jobs there were inside the infirmary, the people of the Abbey could be seen as employers. This source may not be reliable because the source is only plans and sometimes plans do not go into action. On the other hand, it is very unlikely that a lot of time would go into creating plans that were not to be used. Source B shows the map of how much land the Abbey owned, as it showed a lot, the Abbey should be quite rich and be capable of carrying out new building constructions.
In conclusion, this source shows that the Abbey role was a hospital, Hotel, employers and constructors.
Source F is an engraving done by Samuel Buck in the 18th century. The source shows what Fountains Abbey looked like at that time. It shows the Abbey as a piece of art, I can tell this because an artist has actually created the engraving of the Abbey. The engraving shows some of the surrounding areas, and from this you can see the untidy areas around which were seen as ‘fashionably untidy’ because it was style at that time. It shows the layout of the abbey and its state of ruin, which from this picture doesn’t appear really bad. The Abbey however has changed extremely from when it was previously a working monastery, of which it is no longer. The source does not tell us of what is going on in the surrounding areas and I know from looking at source E which is a painting of the Abbey in 1760 that there were gardens surrounding the area. The abbey was now a home to the Aislabie family and a form of their entertainment as the ruin was part of their back garden. This source may not be reliable because it is an engraving and they take a long time to create, also if any mistakes occur they are not easy to erase and therefore if the artist did make mistakes he may have just left them. The source is also just one artist’s opinion and view, which could make it unreliable because it is biased, however it still helps me with my investigation because it is still someone’s opinion on Fountains. Source E and F are both created in the same time period, but both appear extremely different. In conclusion, the monasteries role is shown as a piece of art, a fashion accessory and a home to the Aislabie family.
Source G is a drawing made in 1960 for a guidebook on Fountains Abbey, it shows the chapel of 9 alters after its repair and re-roofing in 1480’s. This source is useful because it shows what Fountains appeared to be like after the changes were made. It shows the layout of the chapel of 9 alters. It also includes people in the drawing, which shows the chapel of 9 alters in action. However, the source does not tell us, what exactly happened in the Chapel of 9 alters and the people who went there. Also, you cannot exactly see clearly what is going on in the drawing. At this time, the role of the Abbey appears to be a tourist attraction, because a guidebook is being made and it wouldn’t need to be created if it wasn’t needed for visitors. The actual drawing shows the role of the abbey as a place of home to the monks. I have got my doubts about the reliability of the source because from my own evidence when I went to Fountains it did not look like it does in the source, the screen wasn’t positioned where it is in the image, the pillars were not in the same position and there wasn’t an opening underneath the window at Fountains, these are just a few of the errors I have taken note on. It also shows the monks just casually walking around, at this time the monks should have been in prayer, which also suggests the source is incorrect. In conclusion, the role of the abbey in 1960 is a tourist attraction, but in 1480 when the drawing is meant to be related to the role of the abbey would have been a home to the monks and a place of religion and prayer.
Source H is an extract from a publicity pamphlet on Fountains Abbey, published in 1997. This source tells us a lot of information, about the Abbey and its surrounding areas. It explains that there are over 10 historical buildings in the area and the remains there of the monastery are almost complete. It tells us of animals that the surrounding areas of the monastery contain, which are most commonly deer of which there are 600 of. It explains that the site is suitable for families, which means all age groups. It gives information on the ornamental lakes and explains that the site is the only word heritage site in Yorkshire. The source does not give any historical information on the Abbey or information on what it looks like or the people who lived there. It also doesn’t tell the reader whether entry is free or not, and if it isn’t the role of the Abbey is a business. The Abbey in this source is most definitely shown as a tourist attraction, because people come from all over the world to see the area and it is also promoted in pamphlets. Even though this source gives lots of information, it may not be totally reliable because the entire reason for the pamphlet is to advertise the area and promote it, so it would obviously include persuasive materials. However, it cannot be said that the source is useless because it gives exact facts. The abbeys role is no longer a place of religion or a home for the monks, but it is now a tourist attraction and a site belonging to everyone.
