16 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND 
in 1362, and the next year he received 10s. for pears and apples 
sold. 1 To the west of the Infirmary lay the “ Grete ” garden, 
and the Abbot’s own garden was on the part of Broad Sanctuary 
which now surrounds the Crimean monument, and was in the 
north-west angle of the old wall. There were, furthermore, 
the “ Hostry ” garden, beyond the stream which skirted the 
monastery and turned a mill near where it fell into the Thames 
at “ Millbank.” Not far from here was the “ bowling alley ” 
and the kitchen-garden. There was an osier-bed in a small 
island in the stream, and somewhere to the west of it the 
“ Precentors’ mede ” and the “ Almoner’s mede,” or “ Almery 
garden.” On the site of Vine Street was situated the vineyard, 
and “ Market Mede ” was hard by, where Market Street now 
runs. The Cellarer had a large garden farther off, probably 
the “ Convent,” or Co vent, Garden of later times. Besides 
this, there were other gardens which were sometimes in the 
hands of the monastery, but more frequently let. One of 
these—“ Maudit’s ” garden—is frequently referred to in the 
accounts. 2 This garden was part of some land exchanged 
with Thomas Maudit, Earl of Warwick, in the thirteenth 
century. 
In all countries, heathen and Christian, and in all ages, 
flowers have played an important part in ceremonies, such as 
funeral rites and marriage feasts. England in the Middle 
Ages was no exception; and the use of flowers in the services 
of the Church, in crowning the priests, wreathing candles, or 
adorning shrines, was very general. 
The gardens within the monastery walls for providing these 
flowers were under the care of the Sacristan. At Abingdon, he 
paid the gardinarius four bushels of corn for the rent of his 
garden. 3 At Norwich, the Sacristan seems to have had more 
than one garden, as a very cursory glance at the MS. accounts 
of that office shows the names of both “ St. Mary’s ” and the 
1 MSS. Records, Westminster Abbey. 
2 “ A Toft called Maudit’s garden,” etc., 1350, MSS. Records, West¬ 
minster Abbey. 
3 Abingdon Accounts, R. E. G. Kirk : 
1388-9, et de iiij bussellis frumenti de Sacrista pro orto suo, 
nichil hie in denarijs quia recipiuntur in sua specie ut patet 
extra. 
