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The chapter-house
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The chapter-house was a focal point of monastic
life. It was here that the monks gathered for an hour each day
to attend the chapter meeting, so called as proceedings began with
the reading of a chapter from the Rule
of St Benedict. The monks
sat on wooden or stone benches around the walls and the abbot,
or his deputy who presided in his place, occupied a pulpit in the
eastern part of the room; there was also a lectern here for the
reader.
| I know that you are
used to welcoming with utter joy the feast days of the saints whenever
they
occur and that you heighten your fervour by recalling and meditating
on their lives and perfections. Yet, I think that this feast of our holy
Father Benedict means more to you than others and is in some way more
welcome … because he, our own Father, is closer to us than the
other saints …
[Read more from Aelred’s sermon for the
Feast of Saint Benedict]
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The community gathered in the chapter-house
on feast days when the abbot delivered a sermon.
This was also where business was discussed, punishment meted out
and distinguished visitors
welcomed. The chapter-house was a common place of burial for abbots.
Seven graveslabs and three coffins of former abbots have been found
in Rievaulx’s chapter-house. William,
the first abbot of the house, and the renowned Abbot Aelred were
both buried here in the twelfth century. In 1250 William’s reliquary was moved
to a new shrine outside the chapter-house and Aelred was translated
to the remodelled presbytery in the church, where he was interred
in a gold and silver tomb behind the High
Altar.
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