Rievaulx in North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Refectory
Rievaulx Abbey
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 22, 2025
1. Refectory Marker
It was here that the monks gathered to eat. They ate in silence while listening to a reading delivered from the pulpit, the large recess in the wall to your right.
The community sat around the edges of the room at tables supported by stone legs set into the floor. The monks' diet was largely vegetarian. The main hot food was a thick soup, made from beans and vegetables. Bread and ale were also staples. Fish, eggs and cheese were allowed on special occasions. The food was prepared in the kitchen to the right of where you are standing, and delivered into the refectory through a hatch.
Before entering the refectory, the monks washed in the laver - long water troughs in the large recesses on either side of the door. (Marker Number 7.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Food & Drink • Religion & Religious Structures.
Location. 54° 15.461′ N, 1° 7.023′ W. Marker is in Rievaulx, England, in North Yorkshire. It can be reached from Rievaulx Bank. On the grounds of Rievaulx Abbey. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Yorkshire & The Humber. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Reuse and Recycle (a few steps from this marker); Chapter House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cloister (within shouting distance of this marker); A Spiritual Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Infirmary (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); East End of the Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Landscape and Estates (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rievaulx.
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 22, 2025
2. The Refectory
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on October 28, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
