BythelastquarterofthefifteenthcenturythingsgotsobadthatacommissionofinquirywasheldunderoneGiovannidiVaraxintheyear1478。Thefollowingextractsfromtheordinancesthenmademaynotbeunwelcometothereader。Thedocumentfromwhichtheyaretakenistobefound，pp。322-336ofClaretta'swork。Thetextisevidentlyinmanyplacescorruptormisprinted，andthereareseveralwordswhichIhavelookedforinvaininallthedictionaries——Latin，Italian，andFrench——inthereading-roomoftheBritishMuseumwhichseemedintheleastlikelytocontainthem。Ishouldsaythatforthistranslation，Ihaveavailedmyself，inpart，oftheassistanceofawell-knownmediaevalscholar，theRev。PonsonbyA。Lyons，butheisinnowayresponsibleforthetranslationasawhole。
　　Afterapreamble，statingthenamesofthecommissioners，withtheobjectsofthecommissionandthecircumstancesunderwhichithadbeencalledtogether，thefollowingorderswereunanimouslyagreedupon，towit:-
　　"Firstly，Thatrepairsurgentlyrequiredtopreventthebuildingfromfallingintoaruinousstateasshownbytheoculartestimonyofthecommissioners，assistedbycompetentadviserswhomtheyinstructedtosurveythefabric，bepaidforbyatruetithe，toberenderedbyallpriors，provosts，andagentsdirectlysubjecttothemonastery。Thistitheistobeplacedinthehandsoftwomerchantstobechosenbythebishopcommendatory，andasumistobetakenfromitfortherestorationofthefountainwhichplayedformerlyinthemonastery。Theproctorswhocollectthetithesaretobeinstructedbytheabbotandcommendatorynottopressharshlyuponthecontributoriesbywayofexpenseandlabour；andthemoneywhencollectedis，asalreadysaid，tobeplacedinthehandsoftwosuitablemerchants，clientsofthesaidmonastery，whoshallholditontrusttopayitfortheabove-namedpurposes，asthereverendsthecommendatoryandchamberlainandtreasurerofthesaidmonasteryshalldirect。Intheabsenceofoneofthesethreetheorderoftheothertwoshallbesufficient。
　　"Item，itisorderedthatthemandes，{35}orcustomaryalms，bemadedailytothevalueofwhatwouldsufficeforthesupportoffourmonks。
　　"Item，thattheofficesinthegiftofthemonasterybeconferredbythesaidreverendthelordcommendatory，andthatthosewhichhavebeenhithertoatthepersonaldispositionoftheabbotbereservedforthepleasureoftheApostolicSee。Item，thatnoonedobegabeneficewithoutreasonablecauseandconsonancyofjustice。Item，thatthosewhohavehadbooks，privileges，orotherdocumentsbelongingtothemonasterydorestorethemtothetreasurywithinthreemonthsfromthepublicationofthesepresents，underpainofexcommunication。Item，thatnoonehenceforthtakeprivilegesorotherdocumentsfromthemonasterywithoutadepositofcautionmoney，ortakingoathtoreturnthesamewithinthreemonths，underlikepainofexcommunication。
　　Item，thatnolaymendoenterthetreasuryofthemonasterywithouttheconsentofthepriorofcloister，{36}norwithoutthepresenceofthosewhoholdthekeysofthetreasury，orofthreemonks，andthatthosewhoholdthekeysdonotdeliverthemtolaymen。Item，itisorderedthattheplacessubjecttothesaidmonasterybevisitedeveryfiveyearsbypersonsinholyorders，andbyseculars；andthat，inlikemanner，everyfiveyearsageneralchapterbeheld，butthisperiodmaybeextendedorshortenedforreasonablecause，andtheproctors-generalaretobeboundineachchaptertobringtheirprocurations，andatsomechaptereachmonkistobringtheaccountofthefinesandallotherrightsappertainingtohisbenefice，drawnupbyanotaryinpublicform，andundersignedbyhim，thattheymaybekeptinthetreasury，andthisunderpainofsuspension。Item，thathenceforthneithertheofficeofpriornoranyotherbeneficebeconferreduponlaymen。
　　Thelordabbotisinfuturetobechargedwiththeexpenseofallnewbuildingsthatareerectedwithintheprecinctsofthemonastery。Heisalsotogivefourpittancesorsupperstotheconventduringinfirmarytime，andsixpintsofwineaccordingtothecustom。{37}Furthermore，heistokeepbedsinthemonasteryfortheuseofguests，andothermonksshallreturnthesebedstothechamberlainonthedepartureoftheguests，anditshallbethechamberlain'sbusinesstoattendtothismatter。Item，delinquentmonksaretobepunishedwithinthemonasteryandnotwithoutit。
　　Item，themonksshallnotpresumetogiveanorderformorethantwodays'boardattheexpenseofthemonastery，intheinnsatS。
　　Ambrogio，duringeachweek，andtheyshallnotgiveordersforfifteendaysunlesstheyhaverelationsonajourneystayingwiththem，ornobles，orpersonsabovesuspicion，andthesamebeunderstoodasapplyingtoofficialsandcloisteredpersons。{38}
　　"Item，withintwelvemonthsfromdatethemonksaretobeattheexpenseofbuildinganalmshouseinS。Ambrogio，whereoneortwooftheoldestandmostrespectedamongthemaretoreside，andhavetheirportionsthere，andreceivethosewhoareinreligion。Item，nomonkistowearhishairlongerthantwofingersbroad。{39}
　　Item，nohoundsaretobekeptinthemonasteryforhunting，noranydogssavewatch-dogs。Personsinreligionwhocometothemonasteryaretobeentertainedtherefortwodays，duringwhichtimethecellareristogivethembreadandwine，andthepittancer{40}pittance。
　　"Item，womenofbadcharacter，andindeedallwomen，areforbiddenthemonk'sapartmentswithouttheprior'slicense，exceptintimesofindulgence，orsuchasarenobleorabovesuspicion。NotevenarethewomenfromSanPietro，oranysuspectedwomen，tobeadmittedwithouttheprior'spermission。
　　"Themonksaretobecarefulhowtheyholdconversewithsuspectedwomen，andarenottobefoundinthehousesofsuchpersons，ortheywillbepunished。Item，theepistleandgospelathighmassaretobesaidbythemonksinchurch，andinLenttheepistleistobesaidbyonemonkorsub-deacon。
　　"Item，twocandelabraaretobekeptabovethealtarwhenmassisbeingsaid，andthelordabbotistoprovidethenecessarycandles。
　　"Anyoneabsentfrommorningoreveningmassistobepunishedbytheprior，ifhisabsencearisesfromnegligence。
　　"Thechoir，andthemonksresidinginthemonastery，aretobeprovidedwithbooksandaconvenientbreviary{41}……accordingtoancientcustomandstatute，norcanthosethingsbesoldwhicharenecessaryorusefultotheconvent。
　　***
　　"Item，allthereligiouswhoareadmittedandenterthemonasteryandreligion，shallbringonealbandoneamice，tobedeliveredintothehandsofthetreasurerandpreservedbyhimfortheuseofthechurch。
　　***
　　"Thetreasureristohavethebooksthatareindailyuseinthechoirre-bound，andtoseethatthecapeswhichareunsewn，andalltheecclesiasticalvestmentsunderhiscarearekeptinproperrepair。Heistohavethecustodyoftheplatebelongingtothemonastery，andtoholdakeyofthetreasury。Heistofurnishineachyearaninventoryofthepropertyofwhichhehascharge，andtohandthesameovertothelordabbot。Heistomakeonecommonpittance{42}ofbreadandwineonthedayofthefeastofSt。
　　NicholasinDecember，accordingtocustom；andifithappenstobefoundnecessarytomakeachesttoholdcharters，&c。，thepersonwhosebusinessitshallbetomakethisshallbeboundtomakeit。
　　"Asregardstheofficeofalmoner，thealmonershalleachdaygivealmsinthemonasterytothefaithfulpoor——towit，barleybreadtothevalueoftwopencecurrentmoney，andonHolyThursdayheshallmakeanalmsofthreepence{43}toallcomers，andshallgivethemaplateofbeansandadrinkofwine。Item，heistomakealmsfourtimesayear——thatistosay，onChristmasDay，onQuinquagesimaSunday，andatthefeastsofPentecostandEaster；
　　andheistogivetoeverymanasmallloafofbarleyandagrilledporkchop，{44}thethirdofapoundinweight。Item，heshallmakeapittancetotheconventonthevigilofSt。Martinofbread，wine，andmincemeatdumplings，{45}——thatistosay，foreachpersontwoloavesandtwo……{46}ofwineandsomeleeks，——andheistolayoutsixtyshillings？infishandseasoning，andalltheservantsaretohavearationofdumplings；andinthemorningheistogivethemadumplingcookedinoil，andaquarterofaloaf，andsomewine。Item，heshallgiveanotherpittanceonthefeastofSt。James——towit，agoodsheepandsomecabbages{47}
　　withseasoning。
　　"Item，duringinfirmarytimehemustprovidefourmeatsuppersandtwopints{48}？ofwine，andapittanceofmincemeatdumplingsduringtherogationdays，asdothesacristanandthebutler。Heisalsotogiveeachmonkonebundleofstrawineveryyear，andtokeepaservantwhoshallbringwaterfromthespringfortheserviceofthemassandforholywater，andlightthefireforthebarber，andwaitattable，anddoallelsethatisreasonableandusual；andthesaidalmonershallalsokeepatowelinthechurchfordryingthehands，andheshallmakepreparationforthemandesonHolyThursday，bothinthemonasteryandinthecloister。
　　Futhermore，hemustkeepbedsinthehospitalofS。Ambrogio，andkeepthesaidhospitalinsuchconditionthatChrist'spoormaybereceivedthereinorderlyandgodlyfashion；hemustalsomaintainthechapelofSt。Nicholas，andkeepthechapelofSt。Jamesinastateofrepair，andanotherpartofthebuildingcontiguoustothechapel。Item，itshalldevolveuponthechamberlaintopayyearlytoeachofthemonksofthesaidmonasteryofSt。Martinwhosaymass，exceptthoseofthemwhoholdoffice，thesumofsixflorinsandsixgroats，{49}andtothetreasurer，precentor，andsurveyor，{50}toeachoneofthemthesamesumfortheirclothing，andtoeachoftheyoungmonkswhodonotsaymassfourflorinsandsixgroats。AndineveryyearheistodooneO{51}forthegreaterpriorate{52}duringAdvent。Thosewhohavebeneficesandwhoareresidentwithinthemonastery，butwhosebeneficedoesnotamounttothevalueoftheirclothes，aretoreceivetheirclothesaccordingtotheexistingcustom。
　　"Item，thepittancershallgiveapittanceofcheeseandeggstoeachofthemonksoneverydayfromthefeastofEastertothefeastoftheHolyCrossinSeptember——towit，threequartersofapoundofcheese；butwhenthereisaprincipalprocessionalduplexfeast，eachmonkistohaveapoundofcheeseperdiem，exceptonfastdays，whenheistohavehalfapoundonly。Alsoondayswhenthereisaprincipalorprocessionalfeast，eachoneofthem，includingthehebdomadary，istohavefiveeggs。Also，fromthefeastofEastertotheoctaveofSt。JohntheBaptistthepittanceristoserveoutoldcheese，andnewcheesefromtheoctaveofSt。
　　JohntheBaptisttothefeastofSt。Michael。FromthefeastofSt。MichaeltoQuinquagesimathecheeseistobeofmediumquality。
　　FromtheleastoftheHolyCrossinSeptemberuntilLentthepittancermustserveouttoeachmonkthreequartersofapoundofcheese，ifitisafeastoftwelvelessons，andifitisafeastofthreelessons，whetheraweek-dayoravigil，thepittanceristogiveeachmonkbuthalfapoundofcheese。HeisalsotogiveallthemonksduringAdventninepoundsofwaxextraallowance，anditisnotproperthatthepittancershouldweighoutcheeseforanyoneonaFridayunlessitbeaprincipalprocessionalorduplexfeast，oraprincipaloctave。Itisalsoproper，seeingthereisnofastfromthefeastofChristmastotheoctaveoftheEpiphany，thateverymanshouldhavehisthreequartersofapoundofcheeseperdiem。Also，onChristmasandEasterdaysthepittancershallprovidefivedumplingspermonkperdiem，andoneplateofsausagemeat，{53}andheshallalsogivetoeachoftheservantsonthesaidtwodaysfivedumplingsforeachseveralday；andthesaidpittanceronChristmasDayandonthedayofSt。JohntheBaptistshallmakearelish，{54}orseasoning，andgivetoeachmonkonegoodglassthereof，thatistosay，thefourthpartofone{55}foreachmonk——towit，onthefirst，second，andthirddayofthefeastoftheNativity，theCircumcision，theEpiphany，andthePurificationoftheBlessedVirgin；andthepittanceristoputspiceinthesaidrelish，andthecellareristoprovidewineandhoney，andduringinfirmarytimethosewhoarebeingbledaretoreceivenopittancefromthepittancer。Further，fromthefeastofEastertothatoftheCrossofSeptember，thereisnofastexceptontheprescribedvigils；eachmonk，therefore，shouldalwayshavethreequartersofapoundofcheeseaftercelebrationonaweek-dayuntiltheabove-namedday。Further，thepittanceristoprovideforthreemandesineachweekduringthewholeyear，exceptingLent，andforeachmandeheistofindthreepoundsofcheese。
　　FromthefeastofSt。MichaeltothatofSt。Andrewheistoprovideforanadditionalmandeineachweek。Item，heistopaythepriorofthecloistersixflorinsforhisfine{56}……andthreeflorinstothe……{57}andheshouldalsogivefiveeggsperdiemtothehebdomadaryofthehighaltar，exceptinLent。
　　Further，heistogivetothewoodman，thebaker，thekeeperofthechurch，theservantsoftheInfirmary，theservantattheEleemosynary，andthestableman，toeachofthemoneflorinineveryyear。Item，anymonkswholeavethemonasterybeforevesperswhenitisnotafast，shallloseonequarterofapoundofcheeseeventhoughtheyreturntothemonasteryaftervespersbutifitisafastday，theyaretolosenothing。Item，thepittanceristoserveoutmashedbeanstotheservantsoftheconventduringLentaswellastothosewhoareinreligion，andatthisseasonheistoprovidethepriorofthecloisterandthehebdomadarywithbruisedcicerate；{58}butifanyoneofthesameishebdomadary，heisonlytoreceiveoneportion。Iftherearetwocelebratinghighmassatthehighaltar，eachofthemistoreceiveoneplateofthesaidbruisedcicerate。
　　"Asregardstheofficeofcantor，thecantoristointonetheantiphon'adbenedictusadmagnificat'atterce，{59}andatallotherservices，andheishimselftointonetheantiphonsorprovideasubstitutewhocanintonethem；andheistointonethepsalmsaccordingtocustom。Alsoifthereisanycloisteredpersonwhohasbegunhisweekofbeinghebdomadary，andfallsintosuchsicknessthathecannotcelebratethesame，thecantoristosayorcelebratethreemasses。Thecantoristoleadallthemonksofthechoiratmatins，highmass，vespers，andonallotheroccasions。
　　Ondayswhenthereisaprocessionalduplexfeast，heistowritedowntheorderoftheoffice；thatistosay，thosewhoaretosaytheinvitatory，{60}thelessons，theepistleofthegospel{61}
　　andthosewhoaretowearcopesathighmassandatvespers。Thecantormustsingtheprocessionalhymnswhicharesungonenteringthechurch，butheisexemptfromtakinghisturnofbeinghebdomadarybyreasonofhisintoningtheoffices；andheistowritedownthenamesofthosewhocelebratelowmassesandofthosewhogetthemsaidbyproxy；andheistoreporttheselasttothepriorthattheymaybepunished。Thecantororhisdelegateistoreadintherefectoryduringmealtimesandduringinfirmarytime，andhewhoreadsintherefectoryistohaveaquart[？]ofbread，asalsoarethetwojuniormonkswhowaitattable。Thecantoristoinstructtheboysinthesingingoftheofficeandinmorals，andistoreceivetheirportionsofbread，wineandpittance，andbesidesallthisheistoreceiveoneflorinforeachofthem，andheistokeepthemdecently；andtheprioristocertifyhimselfuponthismatter，andtoseetoitthathevictualsthemproperlyandgivesthemtheirfood。
　　"Thesacristanistoprovideallthelightsofthechurchwhetheroilorwax，andheistogiveoutsmallcandlestothehebdomadary，andtokeeptheeightlampsthatburnbothnightanddaysuppliedwithoil。Heistokeepthelampsinrepairandtobuynewonesiftheoldarebroken，andheistoprovidetheincense。HeistomaintainthecoveredchapelofSt。Nicholas，andthewholechurchexcepttheporticoofthesame；andthelordabbotistoprovidesoundtimberfordoorsandothernecessaries。Heistokeeptheframes{62}ofthebellsinrepair，andalsotheropesforthesame，andduringLentheistoprovidetwopittancesofeelstothevalueofeighteengroatsforeachpittance，andoneotherpittanceofdumplingsandseasoningduringrogationtime，towit，fivedumplingscookedinoilforeachperson，andonequartofbreadandwine，andallthehousedomesticsandservingmenoftheconventwhomaybepresentaretohavethesame。Atthistimeallthemonksaretohaveonequarterofapoundofcheesefromthesacristan。Andthesaidsacristanshouldfindtheconventtwopittancesduringinfirmarytimeandtwopints{63}ofwine，andtwosuppers，oneofchickenandsaltmeat，withwhitechestnuts，inasmuchasthereisonlytobejustsomuchchickenasissufficient。Item，heistokeepthechurchclean。Item，hehastopaytothekeeperofthechurchonemeasureofbarley，andeighteengroatsforhisclothesyearly，andeveryMartinmasheistopaytothecantorsixtysoldi，andheshallplacea{64}……orboss{65}inthechoirduringLent。AlsohemustdooneOinAdventandtakechargeofalltheornamentsofthealtarsandalltherelics。
　　Alsoonhighdaysandwhenthereisaprocessionheistokeepthepaschalcandlebeforethealtar，asiscustomary，butonotherdaysheshallkeepaburninglamponly，andwhenthecandleisburningthelampmaybeextinguished。
　　***
　　"Astouchingtheofficeofinfirmarer，theinfirmareristokeepthewholeconventfifteendaysduringinfirmarytime，towit，theone-halfofthemforfifteendaysandtheotherhalfforanotherfifteendays，exceptthatonthefirstandlastdaysallthemonkswillbeintheinfirmary。Alsowhenhemakesapittanceheistogivethemonksbeefandmutton，{66}sufficientinquantityandquality，andtoreceivetheirportions。Thepriorofthecloister，cantor，andcellarermaybeintheinfirmarythewholemonth。Andtheinfirmareristokeepaservant，whoshallgoandbuymeatthreetimesaweek，towit，onSaturdays，Mondays，andWednesdays，butattheexpenseofthesender，andthesaidservantshallonthedaysfollowingpreparethemeatattheexpenseoftheinfirmarer；
　　andheshallsaltitandmakeseasoningasiscustomary，towit，onallhighdaysanddayswhenthereisaprocessionalduplexfeast，andonotherdays。OnthefeastofSt。Michaelheshallserveoutaseasoningmadeofsageandonions；butthesaidservantshallnotbeboundtogoandbuymeatduringAdvent，andonSeptuagesimaandQuinquagesimaSundaysheshallserveoutseasoning。Alsowhentheinfirmarerservesoutfreshmeat，heistoprovidefinesalt。Alsothesaidservantistogoandfetchmedicineonceoroftenerwhennecessary，attheexpenseofthesickperson，andtovisithim。Ifthesickpersonrequiresit，hecanhaveaidinthepaymentofhisdoctor，andthelordabbotistopayforthedoctorandmedicinesofallcloisteredpersons。
　　"Ontheprincipaloctavesthemonksaretohaveseasoning，butduringthemainfeaststheyaretohaveseasoninguponthefirstdayonly。Theinfirmarerisnotboundtodoanythingorserveoutanythingondayswhennofleshiseaten。Thecellareristodothis，andduringthetimesofthesaidinfirmaries，theservantsofthemonasteryandconventaretobe，asabove，onthesamefootingasthosewhoareinreligion，thatistosay，halfofthemaretobebledduringonefifteendays，andtheotherhalfduringtheotherfifteendays，asiscustomary。
　　"Item，touchingtheofficeofcellarer，itisorderedthatthecellarerdoserveouttothewholeconventbread，wine，oil，andsalt；asmuchofthesetwolastasanyonemayrequirereasonably，andthisonalldaysexceptingwhentheinfirmarerservesoutkitchenmeats，buteventhenthecellareristoservehisrationstothehebdomadary。Item，heistomakeapittanceofdumplingswithseasoningtotheconventonthefirstoftherogationdays；
　　eachmonkandeachservantistohavefivedumplingsuncookedwithhisseasoning，andonecookedwith[oil？]andaquartofbreadandwine，andeachmonkistohaveonequarterofapoundofcheese。
　　Item，uponHolyThursdayheistogivetotheconventapittanceofleeksandfishtothevalueofsixtysoldi，and……{67}Item，anotherpittanceuponthefirstdayofAugust；andheistopresenttheconventwithagoodsheepandcabbageswithseasoning。Item，ininfirmarytimeheistoprovidetwopittances，oneoffowlsandtheotherofsaltmeatandwhitechestnuts，andheistogivetwopintsofwine。Item，ineachweekheistogiveoneflagon[？]。
　　{68}Item，thecellareristoprovidenapkinsandplatesatmealtimesintherefectory，andheistofindthebreadformakingseasoning，andthevinegarforthemustard；andheistodoanOinAdvent，andinLentheistoprovidewhitechestnuts，andciceratealltheyear。FromthefeastofSt。LuketotheoctaveofSt。
　　Martinheistoprovidefreshchestnuts，towit，onfeastsoftwelvelessons；andondumplingdaysheistofindtheoilandflourwithwhichtomakethedumplings。
　　"Item，astotheofficeofsurveyor，itisorderedthatthesurveyordopaythemasterbuilderandalsothewagesofthedaylabourers；thelordabbotistofindallthematerialsrequisiteforthispurpose。Item，thesurveyoristomakegoodanyplankorpostornail，andheistorepairanyholeintheroofswhichcanberepairedeasily，andanybeamorpieceofboarding。Touchingtheaforesaidmaterialsitistobeunderstoodthatthelordabbotfurnishbeams，boards，rafters，scantling，tiles，andanythingofthisdescription；{69}thesaidsurveyorisalsotorenewtheroofofthecloister，chapter，refectory，dormitory，andportico；andthesaidsurveyoristodoanOinAdvent。
　　"Item，concerningtheofficeofporter。Theporteristobeinchargeofthegatenightandday，andifhegooutsidetheconvent，hemustfindasufficientandtrustworthysubstitute；oneveryfeastdayheis{70}……tolosenoneofhisprovender；andtoreceivehisclothinginspringasthoughhewereajuniormonk；andifheisinholyorders，heistoreceiveclothingmoney；andtohavehisprorataportionsinalldistributions。Item，thesaidportershallenjoytheincomederivedfromS。MichaelofCanavesio；
　　andwhenamonkisreceivedintothemonastery，heshallpaytothesaidporterfivegoodsous；andthesaidportershallshutthegatesoftheconventatsunset，andopenthematsunrise。"
　　Therestofthedocumentislittlemorehanaresumeofwhathasbeengiven，andcommonformtotheeffectthatnothingintheforegoingistooverrideanyordersmadebytheHolyApostolicSeewhichmaybepreservedinthemonastery，andthattherightsoftheHolySeearetobepreservedinallrespectsintact。Ifdoubtsariseconcerningtheinterpretationofanyclausetheyaretobesettledbytheabbotandtwooftheseniormonks。
　　plausibleetymology，forhisfriendtheAvvocatoNegriofCasale-Monferratotoldhimthatthemysterious"waitee"isactuallyawordintheTicinesedialect，and，ifitwerewritten，wouldappearas"vuaitee。"Itmeans"stop"or"lookhere，"andisusedtoattractattention。ButlerusedtocouplethislittlemistakeofhiswithanotherthathemadeinTheAuthoressoftheOdyssey，whenhesaid，"ScheriameansJutland——apieceoflandjuttingoutintothesea。"
　　Jutland，onthecontrary，meansthelandoftheJutes，andhasnomoretodowithjuttingthan"waitee"hastodowithwaiting。