Ther as this lord was kepere of the celle,
The reule of seint Maure or of seint Beneit,
By cause that it was old and somdel streit
This ilke Monk leet olde thynges pace,
And heeld after the newe world the space.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, General Prologue. The Monk is in a position of responsibility, as loyal keeper of the cell, and is meant to take care of the monastery. Yet he is willing to let the rules of his order slide and skive off to indulge himself in non religious and luxurious pursuits like his hunting.