<II>
<THE POORHOUSE>[77]
We have stipulated that loaves be given out every day at the
poorhouse—forty-five made from three and a half pounds of
maslin and five made of wheat or spelt such as the vassals
receive, making a total of fifty loaves. These loaves are to be
distributed as follows: twelve paupers who are staying there
overnight should each receive his own loaf; and the next morning
each should receive a half loaf for the road.[78]
Then the two
hospitalers who have been serving there should each receive one
loaf from the aforesaid stock. The five loaves of wheat bread ought
to be distributed among the migrant clergy, who are admitted
to the refectory,[79]
for the road, and among the infirm who are
cared for at the poorhouse. However, we leave this distribution
of bread to the discretion of the hospitaler for this manifest
reason: if a greater number of paupers or those who are more
or less needy, such as the weak, or very small boys who eat little,
should appear, then he should decide how much is needed. But
if it should happen at another time that fewer paupers came,
then the hospitaler and his master, the senior porter,[80]
should
determine, after considering all factors, how much less than the
prescribed number should be dispensed because few came. In
that way what was left over may be dispensed at another time
when more may come.
But for the other poor, who come and go on the same day,
it is customary to give out a quarter of a loaf, or, as we have
just said, the amount that the hospitaler foresees to be needed to
take care of a greater or lesser number or need. The food to
accompany the bread[81]
should be allotted according to custom.
With regard to drink, there should be given out each day a
half modius of beer, that is, eight sesters. Of these, four sesters
are divided among those aforesaid twelve paupers, so that each
will receive two beakers. Then from the other four sesters is
given one beaker to each of the clerical brothers who wash the
feet[82]
and one beaker to Willeramnus the servitor. We leave to
the discretion of the hospitaler the method of dividing any
residue among the infirm or the other paupers. But the matter
of wine shall be in the discretion of the prior.
However, the senior porter ought to anticipate the needs of
the infirm in order to be able to supply either food or drink
which the hospitaler lacks to meet the need of the infirm.[83]
And if it should happen that pilgrims come from distant lands
in excess of the stipulated numbers, the porter[84]
should provide
for them the things that are necessary in such a way that the
supplies which are stored to meet the daily requirements are
not diminished.
Also we add to the foods of the poor as accompaniment to
bread thirty standard rations in the category of cheese and bacon
and thirty modii of vegetables, a fifth part of the tithe of eels[85]
which the porter receives from the cellarer, or of the new cheese
which is due in payment from the ten sheepfolds,[86]
together with
that which is given in tithe from the villas of the domain, as well
as every fifth part of the tithe of cattle, that is in calves, in sheep,
or anything which is given to the porter from the flocks,
including horses.
Furthermore, beyond the aforesaid we have arranged to give
directly through the agency of the senior porter to the hospitaler
a fifth part of all money whatsoever that may come to the gate.[87]
Of this money we have desired to create such a method of
distribution that not less than four pence should be given out
each day. And if the amount from that fifth should be less than
sufficient for making that daily distribution, the abbot, if he
wishes, may supply it from elsewhere; nor should any be
withheld if it should rise above that amount.
According to custom the porter should provide firewood for
the poor or other things which are not recorded here, such as
the kettle or dishes and other things that are in the quarters.[88]
Of those things which come to the gate, all the aforesaid rations
should be given out according to the method of distribution of
the supplement of money, just as it is recorded above.
Furthermore, the hospitaler should receive from the
chamberlain the old garments and footwear of the brothers for
distribution to the poor according to custom.[89]
Therefore we beg all those to whom the office in this
monastery should be assigned that they order their decisions in
the generosity and almsgiving of God rather than in the example
of our parsimony, since each will be rewarded according to his
own standard.
