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The organisation of the granges
(14/14)
The management of all the abbey
granges was overseen by the cellarer, a monastic official (or obedientiary)
who resided at the abbey, but the actual running of each grange
was the responsibility of the resident grangemaster,
who was a lay-brother, and might have the help of an assistant.(22) The
grangemaster was permitted to speak with all staff and guests
when necessary. Speech
was otherwise restricted, and there was to be silence in the
dormitory, refectory and warming-house. Masters, however, were
allowed to speak with
juniors at work about work. Shepherds and herdsmen were to observe
silence when travelling but might briefly return a greeting, give
directions, or answer enquiries about a stray animal. Once at the
pastures it was
conceded that they might speak softly in pairs; this was not,
however, to be an excuse to gossip. (23)
Whereas the cellarer and grangemaster between them were responsible
for the daily organisation of the granges, the lay-brothers’ spiritual
needs were looked after by the master conversi, a monk official (obedientiary)
of some standing. He visited the granges to hear the lay-brothers’ confessions
on Saturdays and also the days before they received Communion.
Granges often provided hospitality
for passers-by and a master of guests was appointed to provide
for visitors. The Bursar’s Account
Book for Fountains Abbey suggests
that, at least by the fifteenth century, entertainment on the granges
could be quite lavish. This reveals that Abbot
Greenwell entertained the Duke of York at Swanley grange, and on
this occasion served fish bought from a Dan Henry at 2s 8d.(24) Women
were not allowed to stay within the grange complex – either to work
or as guests - but might, with the abbot’s or prior’s permission,
enter the court. While women were forbidden from helping with animal
husbandry or
laundering they were sometimes hired at harvest time to work in
the fields.(25)
[read
more about Cistercian agriculture at Rievaulx]
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