The Lay Brothers' Reredorter

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This was the lay brothers' toilet block, built along the line of the main drain which was constantly flushed by a stream.

The need for running water to provide a constant stream of fresh water through the main drain meant that the Cistercians looked for sites where streams ran downhill into a river.

Later, these streams were often dammed to provide a power supply for water-driven machinery.

Many people in the Middle Ages believed that quality of life in this world was not important. Why do you think that was? Why did the Cistercians take so much care of their health?

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