Warden Fendant’s Ledge

First Appearance and Context

During a winding of the great clock at Provener within the Mynster, the narrator refers to “the Warden Fendant’s ledge,” noting it as a high place that could be reached by climbing the stair that spirals up the Tenners’ corner of the building. The reference establishes it as a recognized feature in the upper works of the Mynster. Later, while confined in a penance cell in the Warden Regulant’s court, the same feature is called “the Warden Fendant’s overhanging ledge,” described as blocking most of the sky above a window below.

Subsequently, an avout guides the narrator out to the Fendant’s ledge from the upper walk above the Fendant court. There, with bolts hooded in observance of the Discipline, they lean to the parapet and look down into the concent without gazing beyond the walls. From this vantage they study the meadow by the river and the rise toward Shuf’s Dowment, using the view to plan a summertime observation project that would track how plants advance across the meadow.

Structure and Features

Only limited details are provided in‑text. The ledge is described implicitly as a high, exposed perch accessible via a spiral stair rising in the southwest corner used by the Tenners (the Decenarian math). From below, it overhangs the windows of the Regulant’s level such that only a narrow slice of sky is visible from a cell window. At ledge level, a parapet allows avout to lean forward; when hooded, their field of view is constrained downward into the grounds. Sentinels in winter bolts are observed making regular rounds along the walk near the ledge. Its exact dimensions, enclosure (if any), and fixtures are not described.

Relationships and Functions

The ledge’s name associates it with the office of the Warden Fendant, whose responsibilities include outward watch from the Mynster’s heights. The ledge adjoins routes through the Fendant court toward the periphery and functions as, or directly abuts, a vantage in the upper structure of the Mynster. It is used informally by avout as a high overlook to observe activity within the concent’s grounds while honoring the Discipline not to look extramuros.

Current Status

The ledge is treated as an extant and reachable feature. It is patrolled by sentinels and accessible via the stair spiraling up the Tenners’ corner, and it continues to be used as a place to view the concent from above. No restrictions, alterations, or damages have been described to date.