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Food and drink
(10/14)
The lay-brothers, like the
monks, were subject to regulations regarding food, drink and eating. Those
who worked at the monastery ate in their
refectory in the western range and then returned to work until Compline.
They were served at the same as the monks and received the same
food in the same quantity, which was prepared in the same kitchen. Shepherds
attached
to the abbey granges brought their food with them to eat in the
pastures at the appropriate time, but were expected to return any leftover
bread.
They were strictly prohibited from accepting gifts of food, but
could, should they wish, eat berries or nuts that they found.(16)
The lay-brothers who worked
and lived on the granges received more generous portions than those
staying at the abbey, and were
not expected to observe as many fasts. On the downside, they
were not permitted
ale or
wine, lest this led to drunkenness which might in turn result in
frivolity or disaster. This prohibition fuelled much discontent
and sparked off several
revolts. In 1195 the lay-brothers of Cymer,
Wales, stole their abbot’s
horse because he had banned ale; in 1206 the abbot of Meaux,
Yorkshire, found himself fleeing an angry mob of lay-brothers after
he deprived them of ale. The enraged brethren pulled the cellarer
from his horse, attacked
both him and the abbot, who they then pursued for several miles.
As a grand
finale, the insurgents barricaded themselves in the monks’ dormitory
and refused to give the monks any food.(17) Some
of the lay-brothers (such as novices, the infirm, those who had been bloodlet
and those
serving in the
refectory, who ate after the others had dined) might receive a
light snack, the mixt, to tie them over to dinner. This consisted
of 1/2 lb - or even more - of
coarse bread and water, and was thus more generous than the monk’s
allowance of 1/4 lb bread and 1/3 measure of wine.
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