Dissolution

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Bursar. Responsible for all aspects of monastery finance.

BROTHER GABRIEL Sacrist and precentor; responsible for the maintenance and decoration of the monastic church, and for its music.

BROTHER GUY

Infirmarian. Responsible for the monks' health. Licensed to prescribe medicines.

BROTHER HUGH

Chamberlain. Responsible for household matters within the monastery.

BROTHER JUDE

Pittancer. Responsible for payment of monastery bills, wages to monks and servants, and distribution of the charitable doles.

BROTHER MORTIMUS

Prior, second in command to Abbot Fabian; responsible for the discipline and welfare of the monks. Also novice master.

I was down in Surrey, on business for Lord Cromwell's office, when the summons came. The lands of a dissolved monastery had been awarded to a Member of Parliament whose support he needed, and the title deeds to some woodlands had disappeared. Tracing them had not proved difficult and afterwards I had accepted the MP's invitation to stay a few days with his family. I had been enjoying the brief rest, watching the last of the leaves fall, before returning to London and my practice. Sir Stephen had a fine new brick house of pleasing proportions and I had offered to draw it for him; but I had only made a couple of preliminary sketches when the rider arrived.

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