Ralph Haget, abbot
of Kirkstall (1182-c. 1190) and Fountains (1190-1203)
‘A man of piety and
noteworthy for all holiness; a lover of justice and most ardent
in rivalry for
the
good of the Order.'
'None was more frugal in prosperity, more liberal
in poverty, more important in judgement, more loyal in friendship.’(1)
Ralph was a member of the knightly classes,
but dissatisfaction with his military lifestyle prompted him to
enter the Cistercian abbey of Fountains, c. 1170. In 1182 Ralph
was sent to lead the community at Kirkstall, a daughter-house of
Fountains. Ralph faced
problems as abbot regarding the loss of the abbey’s
herds, external quarrels and (of greatest consequence), the loss
of the abbey’s grange at Micklethwaite. This had grave consequences
and the community was forced, out of poverty, to seek refuge for
a while at other Cistercian abbeys.
Although Ralph’s abbacy at Kirkstall was rather
unsuccessful - he was criticised for his lack of judgment – he
was, nonetheless, promoted to the abbacy of Fountains where he
presided over the community until his death in 1203. Ralph was
particularly noted for his contribution to poor relief during the
famine of 1194, when he set up a refugee camp outside the gates
of Fountains. Ralph was buried in the chapter-house at Fountains.