Throughout Lent they were required to read until the
third hour, then work until the tenth. Every monk was
to have a book from the library, and to read it through
during Lent. On Sundays reading was their duty throughout
the day, except in the case of those having special
tasks. During reading hours two senior brethren were
expected to go the rounds to see that the monks were
actually reading, and not lounging nor gossiping. But
the brethren were not allowed to have a book or tablets
or a pen of their own.

Benedict's inclusion of these directions was of capital
importance in the advance of monkish learning. Being
milder and more flexible, communal instead of eremitical,
and so altogether more humane and attractive, his Rule
gradually took the place of existing orders. And as the
change came about, ill-regulated theological study gave
way to superior methods of learning, solely due to the
better organisation and greater liberality of the Benedictine
order.

Benedictinism came to England with Augustine (597).
The Rule, however, does not seem to have been strictly or
consistently observed for a long time. But the studious
labours of the monks remained just as important a part of
their lives as they would have been had the monasteries
closely followed Benedict's directions. Especially would
this be the case in the seventh century, and afterwards,
during the time continental monachism was in rivalry
with the Celtic missionaries.