One of the most important functions of the muniments room, situated above the warming room, was to be a dry space for the safe keeping of the abbey’s vestments, records, deeds and such like. Important lay people could deposit their valuables for safe-keeping, too. In fact, King John felt it so out of harm’s way that he entrusted his treasure to the monks here, before he rode to do battle at Runnymede. The room has served other lay purposes, being the home of the manorial court and the office of the local planning and licensing authority. Because this room has retained its roof, it gives a good impression of how the smaller rooms in the monastery must have looked. The medieval floor tiles were assembled here for display in the 19th century.