Berkshire History for Kids: Chapter House

Where Monks Met

The monks met here every day at 'Chapter Meetings'.
They sat on seats around the walls.
The abbot stood in the centre and spoke to them all.
They were read a chapter from the 'Rules of St. Benedict' which they lived by.
They talked about the running of the monastery and its lands, and work that needed to be done.
Monks could confess if they'd been bad and a suitable punishment would be given to them.
Abbey tenants (who rented farms) and other people could come and talk to the monks at these meetings.
Sometimes important abbots were buried under the floor in the Chapter House!