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Glossary Guestmaster (hosteller)
The guestmaster, or hosteller as he was known, was a monastic
official (obedientiary) who was in charge of the guest complex.
He was helped by at least one lay-brother. After visitors had been
formally received by the porter and taken to pray and receive the
kiss of peace from brothers appointed by the abbot, they were shown
to the guesthouse where the guestmaster tended them until their
departure. Any communication between visitors and the community
was mediated by the guestmaster; for instance, if a visitor was
ill or about to die the guestmaster notified the prior or whoever
was responsible. One of the guestmaster’s duties concerned
the preparation of the Maundy of the guests, when the visitors’ feet
were ceremoniously washed in the cloister. Each week several monks
were appointed to help him. The guestmaster was also involved with
the proceedings on Maundy Thursday when a number of poor folk were
led into the cloister for the symbolic washing of their feet, and
thereafter refreshed in the hospice. Like the other officials the
guestmaster was granted concessions on account of his duties. For
example, he was permitted to speak with everyone who ate or slept
in the guesthouse and was exempted from various claustral activities
if he was at that time engaged with guests. |
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