Inside A Monastery

KITCHEN - The food would be simple - meat was forbidden, but they did eat fish and pigeons from their own fish pond and dovecote. They also drank weak beer.

REFRECTORY - The monks ate together in silence - but they had their own sign language.

INFIRMARY - As well as when they were ill, monks came here for blood letting followed by two or three days rest. The best doctors were often monks.

NECESSARIUM - Toilets were usually built over a running stream to keep them clean.

MISERICHORD - monks perched on these when standing for the long church services.

CHAPTER HOUSE - For meetings to discuss business and discipline.

The monks met here each morning to pray and listen to a chapter read from the Rule of St. Benedict, before they went out to their daily work.

Monasteries would also have a guest house for pilgrims and travellers, a bath house, bakery, workshops and corn mill.

(Photographs by M ike Strange)