The records of the office-holding monks of Westminster Abbey are of major importance not only for life in the cloister, but also for that of society outside. Approx. 4000 items. ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY: A masterpiece of scholarly research and writing... This superb collection of financial records is now rendered easily accessible to scholars by means of a practical guide. May [B.H.]'s achievement prove tobe the long awaited model that future scholars will follow to the benefit of us all. The obedientiaries - office-holding monks - of Benedictine monasteries in the middle ages led a life of more privilege and freedom than is usually associated with the profound understanding of the monastic life in the Rule of St Benedict. The records of the obedientiaries of Westminster Abbey are a source of major importance, not only for life in the cloister, but alsofor that of society outside. The typical obedientiary rendered his final account at Michaelmas (29 September) each year, and nearly 2,000 such accounts survive, but other documents were also produced throughout the year. The entire number surviving, approximately four thousand items, is listed here under the title of the appropriate obedientiary (including abbot and prior); an in troduction to each list describes the principal subject-matter of the records. BARBARA HARVEY is emeritus fellow of Somerville College, Oxford; her other work includes Living and Dying in England, 1100-1540: The Monastic Experience and The Estates of Westminster Abbey in the Middle Ages.

Table of Contents:
PREFACE ABBREVIATIONS v INTRODUCTION ix Obedientiaries: some general trends ix Westminster Abbey: foundation and endowment xiv The Obedientiaries of the Abbey Numbers and status xv Assignment of income and the division of goods xviii Appointment and removal xxiv Accommodation and meals xxx Forinsic cares xxxiii Participation in the Divine Office and Community Masses xxxvi Account and audit xxxix Record-keeping xlix EDITORIAL CONVENTIONS lviii GLOSSARY lxiii THE OBEDIENTIARIES AND THEIR FINANCIAL RECORDS I. Abbot 1 II. Prior 22 III. Almoner 28 IV. Cellarer and Gardener 46 V. Chamberlain 68 VI. Churches, Warden of, and Pittancer 81 VII. Domestic Treasurers 90 VIII. Granger 103 IX. Hosteller 111 X. Infirmarer 113 XI. Kitchener 127 XII. Lady Chapel, Warden of 136 XIII. Monk-Bailiff 151 XIV. New Work, Warden and Supervisor of 175 XV. Novices, Master of 188 XVI.Precentor 192 XVII.Receiver of Attears 195 XVIII.Refectorer 197 XIX.Royal Manors, Treasurers and Wardens of: i. Eleanor of Castile 204 ii. Richard II and Anne of Bohemia 230 iii. Henry V 241 iv. Henry VII and Elizabeth of York 247 XX. Sacrist 252 XXI. St. Edward's Fair at Westminster, Receiver in/ Warden of 279 XXII.Sarum Rents, Warden of 281 XXIII.Shorditch Rents, Collectors of 283 XXIV.Treasurers 288 Secular Officials XXV. Auditor 326 XXVI. The Eastern Parts, Abbot's Receiver in 332 XXVII. Steward 335 XXVIII. The Western Parts, Abbot's Collector/Receiver/Steward in 337 XXIX. Miscellaneous 349 INDEX 000