Daily Devotions

The monastic community gathered within the presbytery for their regular religious services, or devotions.

A reconstruction of the church presbytery in about 1500 A reconstruction of the church presbytery in about 1500, looking towards the rood- screen with the nave beyond. (Drawing by Jill Atherton) © English Heritage The monks attended Mass and eight other services throughout the day and night, starting around midnight with the service of Matins, and ending at 9.00 with Compline. The services usually consisted of chants, psalms and readings.

The monks sat in wooden stalls facing one another in the area immediately beneath the crossing tower. This area was separated off from the public nave by a stone screen.

Originally the presbytery had a semicircular apse at the east end.

The monks' cemetery lay beyond the east end of the church. An obituary detailing deaths between 1216 and 1253 includes the story of Alexander de Langley, prior of Wymondham, who became insane through over study. Brought to Binham to live in solitary confinement, he was later buried in chains in this cemetery.

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