218 Some Account of the Parish of Monhton Farleigh. 



master of the guests, an almoner, an infirmary keeper and oblate 

 or lay monks to ring* the bells and sweep the Church and choir. 



The Church services were numerous and carefully attended to. 

 Every day two solemn masses were sung, a monk of one of the 

 choirs offering two hosts at each. On common days, three monks; 

 on Sundays, five monks; on solemn festivals, the deacon and sub- 

 deacon; and on the three days before Easter all the monks com- 

 municated. 



Bread for the sacrifice of the altar was thus prepared. The wheat 

 was selected grain by grain, was washed, was put into a bag set 

 apart for the purpose, was carried to the mill by a selected servant, 

 dressed in an alb, and with his face covered, all save the eyes, with 

 a veil, and was then ground between millstones, washed before-hand 

 and covered with curtains. Similar ceremonies were performed in 

 the preparation of the meal. The warden of the Church, two other 

 priests or deacons, and a lay brother, set apart specially, matins 

 ended, washed their faces and hands. The three first named then 

 put on albs, and whilst one washed the meal, the others baked the 

 hosts in iron moulds, and whatever remained uneaten was finished 

 by these four persons. 



After November 13th in each year the elders stayed in the choir 

 after matins, while the younger brethren resorted to the chapter- 

 house to learn to sing. Psalms were recited whilst the brethren 

 were at work. After complin no eating was allowed. 



After September 13th only one meal was allowed, except on 

 festivals of twelve lessons. Two meals were allowed within the 

 octaves of Christinas and Epiphany. 



Silence was observed until the hour of prime, and this so strictly, 

 especially amongst the novices, that a series of elaborate and oc- 

 casionally very ludicrous signs was established to prevent the ne- 

 cessity of using the human voice. 1 



Each monk had in turn to be cook, and had to cleanse the pots 

 and pans. Each had to clean his own shoes, and make his own 



1 Sussex Arch. Colls., V. iii„ and 28 ; Arch. Journal, V. 28 ; and Illustrated 

 London News, 8th November, 1845. 



