John of Fountains (died 6 May 1225) was a medieval Bishop of Ely.
Life John was abbot of Fountains Abbey by 13 December 1211, when he was blessed at MelroseSmith, et al. Heads of Religious Houses II p. 279 by the bishop of Down. Nothing is known of his family or background before this event. While abbot, he continued the building of the abbey's church, and 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.Owen "Fountains, John of" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
John was elected to the see of Ely about 24 January 1220. He was consecrated bishop on 8 March 1220Fryde, et al. Handbook of British Chronology p. 244 at London by Langton. He was enthroned at Ely Cathedral on 25 March 1220.Greenway Fasti Ecclesiae Anglicanae 1066–1300: Volume 2: Monastic Cathedrals (Northern and Southern Provinces): Ely: Bishops He owed his election to the papal legate Pandulf Verraccio.Vincent Peter des Roches p. 166 While bishop, the pope once more named him to a canonization commission, this time in 1223 for William of York. He was rarely involved in political matters, but did go to France on a diplomatic mission in 1223.
John died on 6 May 1225. He was buried in Ely Cathedral, at first near the altar of St. Andrew, but after a rebuilding effort by Hugh of Northwold he was reinterred near the high altar. His tomb was described as "in the pavement".Sayers "Once 'Proud Prelate'" Journal of the British Archaeological Association p. 77
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