<VI.1>
We have not wanted to insert anything about the gate of the
monastery, or what concerns it, among those matters which have
been taken up above because, with the Lord's guidance, we have
decided that whatever belongs to the gate or its ministers from
the tithes should be treated independently, item by item.
<THE PREBENDS WHO SERVE AT THE GATE>
Under this heading it should first be noted that particular care
needs to be exercised with respect to the prebends appointed to
serve there. There need to be enough of them, but under no
circumstances more than are necessary. They are to be fed and
clothed from the tithe itself, in the same amounts as are meted
out to others. Hence they will neither suffer want nor be spoiled
by overindulgence. Now it seems to us that ten prebends ought
to be adequate for those who receive the guests and serve them.
Likewise, that the prebends themselves should be provided with
the same quality and quantity of food and drink as the rest of
our prebends. That is, they should receive as a monthly
allowance what is customary for the others, and also the
customary amount of food and drink. But they should receive
a modest allotment of clothing and footwear as has been
described above, so that they may not be repulsive in rags or
unsightly dress, or presume, on the other hand, to claim more
than their due share. These statements concern prebends. . . .
