The manciple was to pro-
vide all wine and mead, the keeping up the stock of earthenware cups,
jugs, basins, and other vessels, together with the lamps and oil. The
precentor had to find all the ink used, and all colour required for
illumination, the materials for book-binding, and the keeping the
organ in repair. To the chamberlain were assigned certain revenues
for providing all the clothing of the monks, it being stipulated that
the abbot's dress was not to be paid for out of the fund. In the same
way certain small tithes are apportioned for buying basins, jugs, and
towels for the guests' chamber; while all rents levied from the
various tenants paid not in money, but in kind--as, _e.g_.,
capons, eggs, salmon, eels, herrings, &c.--were to be passed to the
account of the kitchener. Every monk bearing office was bound to
present his accounts for audit at regular intervals, and the rolls on
which these accounts were inscribed exist in very large numbers, and
may still be consulted by those who are able to read them.
It looks as if it were the policy of the Benedictines to give as many
monks as possible some special duty and responsibility--to give each,
in fact, a personal interest in the prosperity of the house to which
he belonged--and the vacancies occurring from time to time in the
various offices gave everybody something to look forward to.
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