The Tower of Abbot Marmaduke Huby of Fountains Abbey: Hubris or Piety?

A re-examination of the bell tower built by Abbot Marmaduke Huby at Fountains Abbey challenges its traditional interpretation as a symbol of self-aggrandizement. Instead, inscriptions on the tower—adapted from Cistercian liturgical texts expressing devotion to Jesus—and the placement of saints' images suggest it was an expression of Huby's personal piety and commitment to monastic reform. This study deciphers the inscriptions around the tower's upper storeys, revealing their theological significance and providing a new perspective on Huby's motivations.

Carter, M. (2010). The Tower of Abbot Marmaduke Huby of Fountains Abbey: Hubris or Piety? Yorkshire Archaeological Journal, 82(1), 269–286. https://doi.org/10.1179/yaj.2010.82.1.269