Chapter 11

Of the duty of the Portress.

The portress shall be of sufficient age, discreet, and of mature manners. She shall reside in the day time in an open cell, without a door, and have a proper companion to supply her place. The door shall have two sides, opening in the middle, furnished with two strong locks, and several bolts and iron bars. In the night, principally, it shall be locked with two keys, one the portress is to keep, and the Abbess the other. In the day time the door is not to be left open, but locked with one key; and they are to be careful not to let in any who would enter, except they have licence from the Cardinal Protector.

Secondly—The sisters shall let none enter the Monastery before the rising or after the setting of the sun; neither are they to permit any to enter the Monastery, except for manifest, reasonable, and inevitable cause. If any Bishop should have leave to say Mass within, either for the benediction of the Abbess, or to consecrate any religious, or for any other important matter, he shall be content at that time with a few decent attendants.

Thirdly—If it be necessary that any one should enter the cloister to do any work, the Abbess shall carefully appoint one at the gate, who shall let none enter but such as are necessary for the work; and the sisters shall be careful not to suffer themselves to be seen by those who enter the Monastery.