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as the priors of Canterbury and Coventry; but where the abbot was supreme, theperson termed prior was his subordinate, and, in his absence, in mitred abbeys, bycourtesy, was saluted as the lord prior: there was also a sub-prior, who assisted theprior when he was resident, and acted in his stead when he was absent.

The great officers under these were generally six in number, as in the monasteryof Croyland; and this order prevailed in most of the larger foundations: they arethus enumerated:

1. jftftclCUStEr (Xpert's, or master of the fabric, who, probably, looked after thebuildings, and took care to keep them in good repair.

2. (Sletmosjinarius, or the almoner, who had the oversight of the alms of thehouse, which were every day distributed at the gate to the poor, and who divided thealms upon the founder’s day, and at other obits and anniversaries, and, in someplaces, provided for the maintenance and education of the choristers.

3. ^jjt'tanttarius, who had care of the pietances, which were allowances, uponparticular occasions, over and above the common provisions.

4. gbacrista, or the sexton, who took care of the vessels, books, and vestmentsbelonging to the church ; looked after and accounted for the oblations at the greataltar, and other altars and images in the church, and such legacies as were giveneither to the fabric, or utensils; he likewise provided bread and wine for thesacrament, and took care of burying the dead.

5. CTameranus, or the chamberlain, who had the chief care of the dormitory,and provided beds and bedding for the monks, razors and towels for shaving them,and part of, if not all, their clothing.

6. CTElltrarius, or the cellarer, who was to procure provisions for the monksand all strangers resorting to the convent; viz., all sorts of flesh, fish, fowl, wine,bread, corn, malt for their ale and beer, oatmeal, salt, 8cc.; as likewise wood forfiring, and all utensils for the kitchen. Fuller says that these officers affectedsecular gallantry, and wore swords like lay gentlemen.

Besides these were also,

^csauran'us, or the burser, who received all the common rents and revenuesof the monastery, and paid all the common expenses.

^Prmntor, or the chanter, who had the chief care of the choir service, and notonly presided over the singing men, organist, and choristers, but provided books forthem, paid them their salaries, and repaired the organ: he had also the custody ofthe seal, and kept the liber diurnalis, or chapter-book, and provided parchment andink for the writers, and colours for the limners of books for the library.

I^OStllattUS, or hospitilarius, whose business it was to see strangers well enter-tained, and to provide firing, napkins, towels, and such like necessaries for them.

Infirmartus, who had the care of the infirmary, and of the sick monks who