He will not send a book to a monk at Sens
because his messenger must go afoot and the way was
perilous: let us hope he thought more of the messenger
than of the manuscript. On another occasion he refuses to
lend a book because it is too large to be hidden in the vest
or wallet, and, besides, its beauty might tempt robbers to
steal it. These were good excuses to cover his general
unwillingness to lend. For the loan of one manuscript he
was so bothered that he thought of putting it away in a
secure place, lest he should lose it altogether.[2]
[1] O. H. S., 27 Boase, xxxvii n.
[2] Sandys, i. 486-489, q.v. for other interesting facts about
this abbot.
As a rule the expenses of the writing-room formed a
part of the general expenses of the house, but sometimes
particular portions of the monastic income and endowments
were available to meet them. To St. Albans certain tithes
were assigned by a Norman leader for making books
(c. 1080).[1] The preceptor of Abingdon obtained tithes
worth thirty shillings for buying parchment.[2] St. Augustine's
Abbey, Canterbury, got three marks from the rentals of
Milton Church for making books (1144).
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