This rather modest arched recess in the cloisters at the Royal Abbey of l’Épau is effectively a cupboard, but far more exciting for me (I don’t get out much), it was a cupboard for storing books, better known as the abbey’s armarium. It was a handy location for the books to be stored whether for worship, study or some riveting evening reading. I like these little snapshots of abbey life, especially in a building where a lot of the details have been lost.
As for the word ‘armarium’, this is the Latin word for chest, cupboard or safe which is derived from the word ‘arma’ meaning tools, implements or weapons. And that’s where words such as armaments, army and the like come from.
Incidentally, I suspect that I would have needed a bigger book cupboard if I had been there at the time…..