ABSTRACT

Prior Henry Eastry is justly remembered for the numerous documents that were produced during his long governance (1285-1331) of Christ Church Priory, Canterbury. Amongst these is a memorandum book that includes several inventories: a very detailed list of the jewels and ornaments in the vestry, another detailed list of texts and relics in the cathedral and a catalogue of the books in the library.1 The recording of such treasures was in keeping with Eastry’s concept of the grandeur of this ancient Benedictine house, and a fourth inventory of the ‘silver plate’ in the refectory when Roger de Holyngbourne was refectorer in 1328 may have served the same purpose. However, perhaps more importantly in the context of this current volume, what might the contents of this list have meant to the monks siĴing in the refectory who saw daily these utensils?