By Harold Brakspear, F.S.A. 239 
THe KircHen. 
At the west end of the frater, in continuation northward of the 
western range, was and is still the kitchen, an apartment that for 
over six hundred and sixty years has been used for the same 
purpose. At present it is an oblong room open to the roof 33 feet 
long by 21 feet wide, but originally the west wall was apparently 
in line with that of the western range. In the south wall is a large 
original fireplace 14 feet wide with a broad chamfered segmental 
arch that has been much cut about in later times and is now partially 
walled up. On a level with the first floor of the western range at 
the east end of this wall is the jamb of a doorway leading to the 
abbess’s hall. 
In the east wall beyond the north wall of the frater is one 
internal jamb and part of the rere-arch of an original doorway. 
The present west wall is plastered inside and out, and the windows 
are of the last century, so that it is impossible to ascribe it to a 
definite date. 
The present roof is apparently of the 15th century, but it is quite 
plain with framed couples with cambered tie-beams and, in the apex 
of the north gable, is a two-light wooden window now blocked up. 
Other monastic features are now obliterated or covered up with 
later alterations or plaster. There was apparently a gallery along 
the east side, as at present, approached by wooden steps, up which 
the food would be taken to the frater and served through a hatch 
in its west wall, and to the abbess’s hall through the doorway 
already mentioned. 
In connection with the kitchen should be mentioned the fine 
cauldron now placed on a pedestal in the grounds. It is a vast 
 bell-metal pot, 23 feet in diameter, and standing 3 feet high, 
supported on three legs, and with handles ornamented with 
“long-beards.” It originally had in addition rings in the 
handles, which are now lost. Round the widest part of the bowl 
__ is the inscription :— 
_ * 4 PETRO VVAGHEVENS IN MECHLINIA EFFVSVS FACTVS VE FVERAM 
ANNO DOMINI MILLESIMO QVINQENTESIMO DEO LAYS ET GLORIA 
CRISTO 
