: r X, 



132 GENERAL HISTORY 



' ' 



tic discipline extended gradually its progress through 

 the other provinces and countries of Europe, and 

 reached even to Britain. 



incumbents were generally instituted by the bishop, ana 

 elected by the arch-deacon of the place. Most of these 

 chapels were built upon the manors and ancient demes- 

 nes of the crown, whilst in the King's hands, for the use 

 of himself and family, when he came to reside there: and 

 when the crown parted with those estates, the chapels 

 went along with them, and retained their first freedom. 

 Some lands had chapels on the manors, which do not 

 appear to have been ancient demesnes of the crown ; but 

 ere thought to have been built and privileged by grant 

 from the crown. 



In every abbey, the chief officer was the abbot, or ab- 

 bess, who presided in great pomp, and was generally 

 called lord abbot, or lady abbess, and had kitchens and 

 apartments, different from the common ones of the society. 



Jn every priory the chief officer was the prior, or 

 jprioress, and was sometimes called lord prior, or lady 

 prioress. 



Next under the abbot, in every abbey, was the prior ; 

 \vho in the abbot's absence had the chief care of the 

 house ; and under him was the sub-prior, and in great 

 abbies, to the fifth prior. 



* There were-six greater officers in a monastery. One 

 was master of the fabric, and took caie of the building. 

 Another had the oversight of the alms-house. Another 

 took care of the pittances, which were allowed upon 

 particular occasions, over and above the common provi- 

 sions. A fourth was the sexton, whose business it was 

 to take care of the books, vestments, &c., belonging to 

 the church ; provide wine for the sacrament, and see to 

 the burying of the dead. A fifth had the care of the 

 dormitory, and provided beds, c., for the monks. A 

 sixth was to procure provisions for the monks, and all 

 strangers resorting to the convent. 



Besides these, there were also other officers. There 

 were the hostilarius, whose business it was to see strangers 

 well entertained, and to provide firing, napkins, towels, 

 and such like necessaries as were wanting for their ao 

 commodatiou. 



