"There are delightful libraries, more aromatic than stores of
spicery; there are luxuriant parks of all manner of volumes;
there are Academic meads shaken by the tramp of scholars; there
are lounges of Athens; walks of the Peripatetics; peaks of
Parnassus; and porches of the Stoics. There is seen the surveyor
of all arts and sciences Aristotle, to whom belongs all that is
most excellent in doctrine, so far as relates to this
passing sublunary world; there Ptolemy measures epicycles and
eccentric apogees and the nodes of the planets by figures and
numbers...." Richard De Bury, Philobiblon, Thomas' ed. 200


Section I

The Benedictine order established monastic study on
a regular plan. Benedict's forty-eighth rule is clear
in its directions. "Idleness is hurtful to the soul.
At certain times, therefore, the brethren must work with
their hands, and at others give themselves up to holy
reading." From Easter to the first of October the monks
were required to work at manual labour from prime until
the fourth hour. From the fourth hour until nearly the
sixth hour they were to read. After their meal at the
sixth hour they were to lie on their beds, and those who
cared to do so might read, but not aloud. After nones
work must be resumed until evening. From October the
first until the beginning of Lent they were to read until
the ninth hour. At the ninth hour they were to take their
meal and then read spiritual works or the Psalms.