Servitor

Context and first mention

During the ongoing Convox (rare mass assembly) at the Concent of Saunt Tredegarh (major mathic complex), participants describe being assigned as “servitors.” In this usage, servitors are avout (monastic scholars) tasked with assisting at messals (seven‑person dinners) and paired with a senior doyn (senior avout host).

Duties and practice

• Arrive ahead of time at the hosting Dowment (endowed house/estate) or chapter‑house (residence hall) to help prepare the dinner in the messallan (private dining room) kitchen.
• When the eventide bells ring, the doyns take their seats and servitors bring out the food.
• When not moving plates, a servitor stands behind their doyn with back to the wall.
• Each messallan’s kitchen cooks fourteen servings (seven doyns plus seven servitors).
• Servitors are expected to understand the topics under discussion; at some messals they may be invited to contribute briefly.

Pairing and progression

• Each servitor is paired with a doyn (senior mentor/host) for the messal.
• As years go by, servitors can become doyns themselves and then receive a servitor of their own.
• Rotation among messallans can occur (one doyn–servitor pair is said to rotate nightly), though this is described as unusual.

Associations

• The role is described specifically at Tredegarh during the Convox and appears tied to that concent’s messal system and facilities.

Notes

• The term here denotes a functional role, not a distinct order. No formal hierarchy of “Servitors” is presented.