V Page from _La Sainte Abbaye_ 260 (Folio 1vº.) VI Dominican nuns in quire 286 (From Brit. Mus. Cott. MSS. Dom. A XII f.) VII The nun who loved the world 388 (From _Queen Mary's Psalter_, Brit. Mus. Royal MS. 2 B. VII.) VIII Plan of Lacock Abbey 403 (From _Archaeologia_, LVII, by permission of the Society of Antiquaries and Mr Harold Brakspear.) MAP Map showing the English Nunneries in the later middle ages AT END MEDIEVAL ENGLISH NUNNERIES CHAPTER I THE NOVICE Then, fair virgin, hear my spell, For I must your duty tell. First a-mornings take your book, The glass wherein yourself must look; Your young thoughts so proud and jolly Must be turn'd to motions holy; For your busk, attires and toys, Have your thoughts on heavenly joys: And for all your follies past, You must do penance, pray and fast. You shall ring your sacring bell, Keep your hours and tell your knell, Rise at midnight to your matins, Read your psalter, sing your Latins; And when your blood shall kindle pleasure, Scourge yourself in plenteous measure. You must read the morning mass, You must creep unto the cross, Put cold ashes on your head, Have a hair cloth for your bed, Bind your beads, and tell your needs, Your holy Aves and your Creeds; Holy maid, this must be done, If you mean to live a nun. _The Merry Devil of Edmonton._