The ordinary life of the monastery began at six o'clock in the
morning, and when the small bell, called the skilla, rang, all rose,
washed themselves at the latrines, put on their day habit, and then
presented themselves at the matin Mass. _Mixtum_ or breakfast,
followed, and that over the convent assembled in chapter for
consultation. After chapter the officials dispersed; the kitchener to
arrange for the meals, and not unfrequently to provide hospitality
for distinguished guests and their retinue; the precentor to drill
his choir boys, to tune the organ, to look after the music, or to
arrange for some procession in the church, or some extraordinary
function; the infirmarer to take his rounds in the hospital; the
cellarer to inspect the brewhouse and bakeries; and each or all of
these officers might find it necessary to go far a-field in looking
after some bailiff or tenant who could not safely be left alone. At
Evesham the sacristan, the chamberlain, and the infirmarer were
allowed forage and the keep of one horse. Meanwhile in the cloister
all was stir and movement without noise. In the west alley the
schoolmaster was teaching his little pupils the rudiments of Latin,
or it might be the elements of singing; in the south alley, where the
light was best, a monk with a taste for art was trying his hand at
illuminating a MS.
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