Beyond the chapter-house, and
abutting partly upon the east wall of the cloister, but extending far
beyond it till, in some cases, it made with the refectory a block of
buildings in the form of a T, ran the dormitory or common sleeping-
place for the fraternity. The dormitory was always approached by
steps, for it was invariably constructed over a range of vaulted
chambers, which served for various purposes; one of these chambers
was set apart for the reception of those monks who had been subjected
to the monthly bleedings which all were supposed to require, and
which all were compelled to submit to, that so by a mechanical
process, if in no other way, the flesh might be subdued. The beds of
the monks were arranged along the walls of the dormitory, at regular
intervals; and in some monasteries a wainscot partition separated the
sleepers from each other, thus making for each a little cubicle, with
a low door leading into it. The broad passage, running from end to
end, between the sleeping-places in the dormitory was strewn with
rushes; and at the end opposite to the flight of stairs were the
latrines or washing-places, which were open to the air, and under
which was always a sewer that could be flushed by a water-course hard
by.
In the dormitory and the latrines lights were kept burning through
the night; a provision necessary, if for no other reason, because the
services in the church at night-time had to be kept up and attended
by the whole house.
Pages:
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128