Letter (number unidentified). To the Mother Prioress and Nuns of the Convent of the Most Blessed Trinity, Soria, Soria, August, 1581

Matters which must be strictly attended to in this house?

JESUS! Ye must have a frame fixed in the parlour on which to nail the curtains, as is done in other enclosed convents. This frame must have a light crossbarred grating or something of the sort, and the spaces between must be too small for a hand to pass through. There must be a key ‘to it which is to be kept by the Mother Prioress,-and the grille must never be opened except for those persons mentioned by the Constitutions fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers. This rule must be strictly obeyed. The grating must be separated from the iron grille by a space of a little legs than half a vara’, Other frames with curtains and keys are to be fixed in the upper choir: cross bars are to be placed as in the parlour in the lower choir with an iron grille, but not in the upper one: the grille and frame are to

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TO THE COMMUNITY OF SORIA 207 be at the same distance from each other. I think another grille of half the height must be added to the lower choir on account of the altar. The lower and upper choir must be paved with bricks, and the staircase must be built as I direéted Vergera. Both the little windows and the others of the large room in which Mass has hitherto been said must have window sashes and glass, for this is very important. If possible, you should have a grating put to the window in the upper choir, for though it is high up, it cannot be left without a grille in a convent. As I was unable to put one to the window of the lower choir, you must have the six bars which are already fastened there. On no account should the turn be on that side of the little window for Communion: it should be made on the other side.

The confessional can stand wherever most convenient and must have an iron grating with acurtain fastened across it. You already know that the little key of the Communion window must be kept by the Prioress and as soon as the turn is built, I lay it on her conscience never to allow the window to be opened except for Holy Communion. The window in the little passage facing the choir must have a high, narrow grille. The keys of the windows reserved for talking to Dofia Beatriz must always be in charge of the Prioress: curtains should be hung beside the windows to be drawn if any of Dojfia Beatriz’ servants should accompany her.

In virtue of the powers I hold from our Father Provincial, I forbid under all the pains and penalties I can infliét that any one should speak through these windows except to Dofia Beatriz, Dofia Leonor,‘ and occasionally to Dofia Elvira, the wife of Don Francisco.’ The last exception must berarely made for her conversation can only be that of a newly married lady, but Dofia Leonor’s will be edifying as it has always been.

Itis only right that you should doall in your power to give pleasure to Dofia Beatriz for she would do more to further religious observance than to injure it. Always consult her before receiving a postulant and you will make no mistakes; you should ask her advice as to any important matter concerning those outside the house.

Gratings should be set to all the windows looking on the garden so that no one can put her head out. If they cannot be iron, have wooden ones, but let them be fixed at once.

Do your best to have cells built quickly on the plan we arranged, since Dofia Beatriz wishes for them and is paying the expense. Do not negle@ this as it is most important for religious observance; as your Reverence knows, until they are made there can be little order. On no account must any of you either sleep or sit in them until they are