TJie Monks and their Missionary Work 353 One of these services, called vigils, came well before daybreak, and it was convenient when you were summoned in the dark- ness out of your warm bed to be able to go down a short passage that led from the dormitory into the choir of the church, where the service was held. The Benedictine Rule provided that the monks should so far as possible have everything for their support on their own land. Fig 139- Monastery of Val di Cristo This monastery in southern Spain has two cloisters, the main one lying to the left. One can see how the buildings were surrounded by vegetable gardens and an orchard which supplied the monks with food. Compare picture of another monastery (Fig. 151, below) So outside the group of buildings around the cloister would be The out- found the garden, the orchard, the mill, a fish pond, and fields ^[o"f Jf^Jiu for raising grain. There were also a hospital for the sick and a monastery guest house for pilgrims or poor people who happened to come along. In the greater monasteries there were also quarters where a king or nobleman might spend a few nights in comfort.
