What is the reredorter in a medieval monasterye?

Answer 1

The word reredorter comes from two Anglo-Norman French words: rere = behind and dorter = the dormitory. This was a polite way of referring to the lavatory building, which was generally situated behind or next to the monk's dormitory. An alternative name was the Latin word lavatorium (a place for washing).

The reredorter had washing facilities with running water, sometimes in the form of a stone trough through which a clean water supply was channelled. There were also latrines which deposited waste downwards into another water channel, which would flush it away.

Answer 2

The reredorter in a medieval monastery was a toilet or latrine area. It was typically located at the eastern end of the dormitory or sleeping quarters for the monks. It was a communal space with multiple stalls or seats, usually without partitions for privacy.