Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/140

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DESCRIPTION OF THE ANCIENT PLAN

three steps only. The step is interrupted in the middle, as if a passage was there to a "confessionary" or crypt beneath the altar, but no such place is indicated by writing. In front of the platform an enclosure is screened off for a choir, "chorus," but no seats or desks are drawn. It has one door towards the west and two towards the east. The eastern screen is near the font, and a bench placed between the two doors may serve for the convenience of those who assisted at the baptismal service. On the whole, seventeen altars are marked in the plan.

The Sacristy[1].

The sacristy, which is exactly of the same size as the south transept, consists of a building of two stories, erected on one side in contact with the east wall of the southern transept, and on the other against the presbytery. The lower story or sacristy proper, "' subtus sacratorium" contains presses, chests, and benches: there is a large table in the middle for setting out the sacred vessels, "mensa sanctorum vasoruam." In the south-east corner there is a stove, as the priests have to remain here a long time in winter for putting on their habiliments. In the upper story are kept the ecclesiastical vestments, "supra vestium ecclesice repositio." From the sacristy below a long passage leads to a small house, where the sacramental bread is baked for the use of the church, and oil is prepared for lighting the church, "domus ad præparandum panem sanctum et oleum exprimendum." Here are delineated a lire-place, oven, table, and benches.

Library and Scriptorium.

On the north side of the presbytery is a building which in its plan and dimensions corresponds exactly with the sacristy, and abuts on the eastern side of the north transept in the same manner as the latter does against the south transept. It also consists of two stories. The lower story is arranged for a scriptorium, or writing room, "infra sedes scribenitium." It is furnished with a large table in the centre, and seven writing desks placed against the walls, which are lighted by six windows[2] The upper story serves as a depository for the

  1. ↑ This and the following articles are freely translated from Keller, with the few exceptions which I have marked as they occur, and with the addition of the notes.
  2. ↑ The glass windows, fenestræ vitræ, of the Scriptorum, are mentioned by Ekkehiardus, cap. iii. G. p. 53.
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