Source Page

Composite image of 'Greyfriars', adapted from original photographs courtesy (2002) Bob Boutland, one of the Redbourn Website Editors.

In a note, dated 1929 and initialled by G.W.L., it states: 'To Mr. D. Anstruther, 'the present Keeper of the Cell.'

NOTE to CHAUCER'S PROLOGUE - line 172: 'Ther as this lord was kepere of the celle:'

A 'cell' was a minor religious house dependent on a greater one and was sometimes used as a kind of convalescent home. Thus the great Abbey of St. Albans had a cell at Redburn, four and a half miles off, of which Dr. Horstmann writes (Introduction to Nova Legenda Anglie, p.xi.), 'it served as a place of recess for sick monks to receive the benefit of each and fresh air. Abbot Richard Wallingford (1326-55) ordained that three monks should always be here on duty for one month and then be relieved by three others. But in many cells there was no such time limit and life at a cell was so much easier than at a well-governed great monastery that stories are told of monks who had contrived to stay on at a cell for several years asking, when they came back, whether the monastery were not under an altogether different 'rule'.'

Greyfriars - Redbourn - Anstruther home for almost 20 years.

The March Hare - who presided.

September 3rd 1929 - September 1948

The March Hare's view

The Drawing Room

The Dining Room

The Main Bedroom

The Nursery

Daisy Gould c. 1930

- beloved by the whole family -

... and keeping

the family in order

and organised

... were ...

Willie Gould c. 1930

- trusted, efficient and had a natural wisdom -