Messal

Context and meaning

Speakers at the Concent of Saunt Tredegarh describe a messal as a small, structured dinner for avout (monastic scholar). The term is said to come from the diminutive of a Proto‑Orth word for a flat surface used to serve food, i.e., a “small table.” Messals are prominent during the current Convox (large avout convocation) hosted at the Concent of Saunt Tredegarh.

Practice at Tredegarh

  • Size and setting: A messal is designed so that everyone can follow a single conversation; the stated maximum head count is seven. Each is held in a messallan (private dining room) rather than in a large communal hall.
  • Roles: Each senior participant—their doyn (senior sponsor)—is paired with a junior servitor (junior helper) who assists with preparation and service. Servitors stand behind their doyns when not carrying dishes and may, by invitation, contribute to the discussion.
  • Kitchens: Rather than a single Refectory (communal dining hall) with one central kitchen, Tredegarh uses many small kitchens attached to messallans, each cooking fourteen servings at a time (for seven doyns and seven servitors).
  • Rotation and expectations: Some doyns rotate to different messallans from night to night (reported as unusual). Servitors are expected to understand the evening’s topics well enough to follow the discussion and occasionally participate.

Organization and contrast

  • Tredegarh’s dining is organized across numerous dowments (house/estate) and chapter houses (order residence) instead of a single central Refectory. Avout here characterize the old free‑seating Refectory style as noisy or chaotic; they claim only fids (novice avout) and a few austere orders still use it.
  • By contrast, messals emphasize focused conversation, formal roles, and consistent small groups during the Convox.

Notes

  • Usage and details are presented as practiced at the Concent of Saunt Tredegarh during the Convox; customs may vary in other concents.

Cross‑references

Summary:

A messal is a small, formal dinner among avout at the Concent of Saunt Tredegarh, typically capped at seven participants and held in private rooms. During the ongoing Convox, messals structure evening conversation and dining, with junior servitors assisting senior doyns.

First seen:
Part 9: Inbrase - Chapter 39: Convox
Most recently seen:
Part 9: Inbrase - Chapter 39: Convox
Known as:
messalsMessal