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Roche Abbey: the chapter-house
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The chapter-house at Roche, like those at other
abbeys, was situated in the eastern range, one of the most inaccessible
locations to outsiders. It was an oblong building, divided into
two sections, and probably dates from the early thirteenth century.
Recent analysis of the architecture suggests that the design of
the vaulting was both unusual and highly complex, in particular
that in the eastern part of the building. The main entrance to
the chapter-house was through a central doorway from the cloister,
which had windows on either side. The east end of the chapter-house
was illuminated by two windows; another two windows allowed light
to enter through the sides.
It was usual for abbots and important people,
such as noble benefactors, to be buried in monastic chapter-houses,
but unfortunately there are no remains of any tombstones in the
chapter-house at Roche.
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