Chapter 5

Of silence, and the manner of speaking at the parlour and grate.

From Complin until Tierce the sisters are to keep silence, except those who serve outside the Monastery.

Secondly—They shall always be silent in the Church, Dormitory, and in the Refectory only while they eat; it is lawful for them to speak in the Infirmary, for the recreation and service of the sick.

Thirdly—The sisters may, notwithstanding, at all times and in all places communicate to one another, in a gentle manner, whatever they think is necessary.

Fourthly—It is not lawful for the sisters to speak at the parlour or at the grate, without the Abbess or Vicaress’s permission; and those who have liberty to speak at the parlour must not converse but in the presence of two sisters, who must hear what is said to her there.

Fifthly—None are to attempt going to the grate, except there be present at least three, and appointed by the Abbess, and those out of the eight chosen by the unanimous consent of the sisters for the Abbess’s Council.

Sixthly—The Abbess and Vicaress are bound to observe this manner of speaking at the grate, which should happen as seldom as possible, but at the gate it should never be permitted.

Seventhly—And at the grate there is to be a cloth put within, and not to be opened, except while a sermon is preaching, or while they are speaking to one another.

Eighthly—There shall be before the grate a wooden door, well secured by two locks and bolts of iron, which in the night, principally, is to be locked with two keys, one of which the Abbess is to keep, and the Sacristan the other.

Ninthly—The door shall be always shut, except while the divine office is reading, or for the causes above mentioned.

Tenthly—None are to speak at the grate before the rising or after the setting of the sun, in any manner whatsoever.

Eleventhly—At the parlour there shall be always a cloth, which should never be taken off.

Twelfthly—No sisters are allowed to speak at the parlour within Saint Martin’s Lent, or the great Lent, except to confess to the Priest, or for some other manifest necessity, which shall be committed to the Abbess or her Vicaress’s discretion.