John of Fountains

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John of Fountains, Bishop of Ely

John of Fountains was a medieval Catholic bishop who led Ely. He was abbot of Fountains Abbey by December 13, 1211, and was blessed at Melrose by the bishop of Down. Little is known about his background. As abbot, he continued building the abbey’s church. Pope Honorius III named him to a commission with Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and William de Cornhill, the Bishop of Coventry, to investigate the possible canonization of Hugh of Lincoln.

He was elected Bishop of Ely around January 24, 1220, and was consecrated on March 8, 1220 in London by Langton. He was enthroned at Ely Cathedral on March 25, 1220. His election owed much to papal legate Pandulf Verraccio. The pope later named him to another canonization commission in 1223 for William of York.

John was not heavily involved in politics, but he did go to France on a diplomatic mission in 1223. He died on May 6, 1225 and was buried in Ely Cathedral. He was initially buried near the altar of St. Andrew, but after a rebuilding effort by Hugh of Northwold he was reburied near the high altar. His tomb was described as “in the pavement.”