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The western
range
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The western range at Rievaulx dates from the
1130s and is thus one of the oldest if not the oldest stone buildings
within the precinct. In fact, it is really the only of Abbot
William’s
buildings with substantial remains. This rather simple and plain
building was primarily used by those lay-brothers who worked
and lived at the abbey rather than on the granges. Here they had
their
own refectory, dormitory and toilet-block (reredorters). In a
Benedictine house, where there were no lay-brothers, the western
range was
occupied by the cellarer and generally also had accommodation
for guests.
Like most of the other buildings the western
range at Rievaulx was remodelled on several occasions, which means
that it is now
difficult to establish just how it looked in the twelfth century.
Remains of the original outer parlour show that this initially
occupied the northernmost bay of the range, which adjoined the
church. Here merchants might conduct business, the monks could
speak with any family and friends who visited, and access to the
inner court, the church and cloister was controlled. The area next
to this (bays 2-5) was used as cellarage to store grains, salted
foods and other provisions, as well as hides and wool that were
to be taken to market or sold to merchants. In the twelfth century
a door connected the cellar to a room that was perhaps occupied
by the cellarer, an
important monastic official who was responsible for the community’s
provisions. This was later reconstructed to accommodate a new and
roomier outer parlour and it is likely
that the daystairs projected to the west of the parlour entrance.(1)
The remainder of the ground-floor accommodated
the lay-brothers’ refectory. The tables would have been arranged
around the walls and, like the monks, the lay-brothers would have
sat facing inwards. There
was no reading during the lay-brothers’ meals and consequently
there was no pulpitum in their refectory. Nevertheless,
the lay-brothers were to remain silent while eating and to observe
good table manners.
The lay-brothers ate the same food as the monks but generally received
larger portions on account of their heavy labour. They were also
served a light breakfast, the mixt, which was taken by novices,
servers and the infirm. Their food was prepared in the same kitchen
as the monks’ and was passed to the refectory through a serving
hatch. The lay-brothers at Rievaulx may also have gathered in the
refectory for their weekly chapter meeting. The range may have
extended further south, but the area here has not been excavated.(2)
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