FOUNTAINS-EARTH, a township in the parish of KIRKBY-MALZEARD, lower division of the wapentake of CLARO, West riding of the county of YORK, 3 miles (S.W. by W.) from Ripon, containing, with the chapelry of Middlesmoor, 441 inhabitants. An abbey of the Cistercian order was founded here in 1132, for thirteen Benedictine monks of St. Mary's near York, who leaving then: house with the design of observing a more strict and reformed rule, obtained from Thurstan, Archbishop of York, a grant of land sufficient for their purpose. It was dedicated to the honour of the Blessed Virgin, and was endowed with great revenues, said to be worth, at the dissolution, £ 1173. 0. 7. The abbey was situated in a valley environed by well-wooded hills, on the banks of a small stream called the Skell: the ruins, occupying an area of about two acres, are considered the most extensive and interesting monastic remains in the kingdom; they are partly in the Norman, and partly in the early style of English architecture, and consist of the church, with its lofty tower, two cloisters, the chapter-house, refectory, dormitory, and kitchen, besides the appendages of the gate, the mill, and the bridge.