The cellarer was one of the leading monastic
officials (or obedientiaries), and was chiefly responsible for
the abbey’s provisions. His duties are carefully detailed
in chapter 117 of the twelfth-century Cistercian customary, known
as the Ecclesiastica Officia.
The cellarer and his assistant, the sub-cellarer, were to organise
the community’s food and drink supplies, but were not to
alter the prescribed quotas without permission from the abbot or
prior. An exception was made for those who had recently undergone
bloodletting and required a more fortifying diet, and also for
visiting Cistercian monks, on the first day of their stay. Monks
who were staying in the infirmary did not eat in the refectory
with the rest of the community, but the infirmarer collected
their daily supplies from the cellarer. The cellarer was to ensure
that
any leftover food which would not be required later was set aside
for the porter; he would then distribute
this as alms to the poor and needy.
Every week the cellarer – or his deputy – received
the kitchen utensils from the kitchen assistants (who helped there
on a weekly basis). He counted these to make sure everything was
in order and then, in accordance, with chapter 35 of the Rule
of St Benedict, passed the equipment to the new weekly helpers. On
Maundy Thursday, when the abbot and monks ceremoniously washed
the feet of a number of poor folk, in imitation of Christ washing
the disciples’ feet, the cellarer appointed several lay-brothers to prepare and bring warm water and towels to the cloister. On
Good Friday, the cellarer put warm water in the cloister after
the liturgy of the altars, and made sure that the lay-brothers
cleaned the church, the cloister and the chapter-house.
On account
of his responsibilities and the nature of his duties, concessions
were made to the cellarer. For example, he was permitted
to speak with lay-brothers, servants and visitors, he might leave
the refectory when eating and the dormitory when the others were
asleep; he was permitted to miss certain Offices in the church
if he was busy attending to his duties.