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The procedure at mealtimes
(2/3)
Think of how many people worked to prepare you
food, and
especially how diligently the Lord supplies you with spiritual
delights in the way of learned teachers. Think of the countless
dangers endured by seamen in order to provide fish to satisfy
the wants of your flesh and thank God for each bite.(3)
[Stephen of Sawley, ‘Mirror
for novices.’]
The monks ate in the refectory once a day in
winter and twice in summer when a light supper was served to
supplement dinner and
sustain the community through the longer days and greater time
spent on manual labour. The monks also entered the refectory
for drinks such as those served after Nones.
As soon as the monks
heard the bell ringing to announce dinner (prandium) they made
their way to the basins that stood to either
side of the refectory entrance, to the west of the warming
house (the lavabo), to wash their hands. Lead pipes carried water
to
stone basins, lined with pewter, which were set in niches.
Thereafter the monks proceeded to the refectory where the tables
were arranged
in a U-shape around the walls. The monks sat on stone benches
facing inwards; at Meaux Abbey, backs were added to the seats
in the late
fourteenth century. The food was already set on the tables,
for the kitchener and cellarer, two monastic officers, were to
place
the dishes on the table before the bell announcing dinner was
rung. Food was passed to the refectory from the kitchen through
a dumb-waiter-style
hatch in the west wall. The monks stood while a blessing was
read in Latin and then took their seats. However, nobody was to
start eating until
the prior
(or whoever was presiding), who sat on a dais at the southern
end of the refectory, had uncovered his bread.
In 1185, Adam, son of Peter
died and requested that a pittance of bread, wine and fish on the day
of his death be given to the monks.
[Rievaulx Cartulary, no. 356 (p. 250).]
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The monks usually
drank
ale and ate vegetables and bread, but on special occasions,
such as feast days, they might receive fish, eggs or a similar
treat.
Meat was not to be eaten in the refectory but was later permitted
in a separate building, the misericord.
[Read
more about food and drink]
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