vision of their lay-brothers, who as a rule did all the work of the farms. It was 

 not even necessary for them to devote their time greatly to literature ; and in 

 order to escape the reproach which in time grew out of this, they made endow- 

 ments to the universities. Though the monk was vowed to poverty the mon- 

 astery grew rich. The valley which they found savage and deserted they made 

 safe and fruitful, and left in the condition which is now our highest idea of the 

 picturesque. 



The older Benedictines wore a black habit. The habit of the Cistercian 

 was white, consisting of a narrow tunic and a long robe with sleeves with a cord 

 round the waist, and shoes and stockings. He must not wear a cowl, nor a shirt, 

 gloves, or boots. He could not leave the cloister except on some special occasion ; 

 he worked only occasionally, for discipline or in time of harvest ; but he must 

 mend his own clothes, clean his shoes, and take his turn in supervising the 

 kitchen. From Easter to September he had only one meal per day. He had no 

 meat, and seldom even fish. If he departed in the smallest degree from strict 

 rule, if he even forgot to tie his shoe, he had to confess and endure penance. As 

 a rule, he had to keep silence, the times when he might speak — and the places — 

 were strictly limited. His times of washing, and shaving, and bleeding, were 

 settled for him. He was neglectful of his person, even to the e.'ctent of harbouring 

 vermin, not, we may be sure, from tlie love of dirt, but for the mortification of 

 the flesh, and it is very possible that this form of austerity, like others, was not 

 rigorously enforced at all times and in all monasteries. This general severity of 

 rule extended to the monastic buildings. There must be no high tower, but only 

 a wooden bell cot, and but one bell. No rich carving, no representation of the 

 human figure, no picture except that of our Saviour was allowed, nor any stained 

 glass, no gold or silver plate. There was no separate projecting Ladye Cbapel, 

 such as existed in most large churches, for every one of the 1,200 churches of the 

 Cistercian Order was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and was thus itself a Ladye 

 Chapel. Some of the strictest rules were relaxed in practice in later times in spite 

 of the reproofs of the official visitors, but still the great characteristics by which a 

 Cistercian abbey may now be known are the fewness of its parts and the simplicity 

 and grace of its outline. 



THE CHURCH. 



The earlier churches of the Cistercians had frequently a low lean-to build- 

 ing attached to the western end, forming a sort of porch or narthex, and in the 

 description of Tintern, sold in the abbey, such a building is shown. There is, 

 however, no reason whatever to think that it ever existed in the present church. 

 It is important that we see things not as we may think they ought to be, but as 

 they are. The church is, according to rule, cruciform, the original chancel would 

 only have two bays, but this has four, and is exceedingly stately and handsome. 

 The whole of the piers in the eastern part had detached shafts in their hollows, 

 and these shafts would probably be of Purbeck marble. They have, however, 

 been torn out, and wherever they were taken might possibly be traced even now. 

 In conventual churches some provision was usually made for the attendance of 



