This was the place of religious readings. The texts included the Scripture, books of the Church Fathers and the Rule of St. Benedict, the  precepts that regulate the lives of monks. According to the tradition, it was edited by St. Benedict of Nursia ca. 540 CE during his stay at Monte Cassino. The monks and the abbot would go the cloister every afternoon to sit on the benches while the abbot would sit in the abbot’s throne. Those who could read would read the Rule book and its contents were explained by the Abbot afterwards. Other books were read too. The Salve Regina Completa was sung at nightfall, after which the monks retired to their beds. They would get up at midnight for the Night Vigils.