By Harold Brakspear, F.8.A. 



239 



The Kitchen. 



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 heen used for the same 

 purpose. At present it is an oblong rooin 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, 2£ 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. Eound the widest part of the bowl 

 is the inscription : — 



* A PETRO VVAGHEVENS IN MECHLIN1A EFFVSVS FACTVS VE FVERAM 

 ANNO DOMINI MILLES1MO QVINQENTESIMO DEO LAVS ET GLORIA 

 CRISTO 



