Chapters 4 and 5 Summary

Chapter 4 opens with historical information of Brede and its abbesses. The most important being the history of the pectoral cross worn by the abbess of the monastery. This cross was made from pieces of a broken chair by a princess as she and some Brede nuns were imprisoned together. This princess gave this cross to the abbess just as she was about to be killed. She claimed it was the most valuable thing that she possessed. The vows that the nuns take are also discussed in this chapter. These vows include stability, conversion of manners and obedience.

As Catherine realizes she has really been voted abbess, she struggles with doubts and apprehensions. She remembers the brother with whom she had made a vow to do everything as the other did. Her brother had become a bishop, now she was an abbess...