i. In English Benedictine monasteries around the year 1000, it was forbidden to speak, so novices were given the Monasteriales Indicia, an Anglo-Saxon handbook of hand signs:

If paying great attention. If you need a Martyrology, lay your index finger over your throat. If you need a rod, move your fist as if you were going to hit someone. If you need a scourge, move your fist in the same way and raise two fingers. If you need a candle, blow on your index finger.

If you want cheese, put your hands together as if you were pressing cheese.

If you want raw vegetables, put your finger on your left hand.

If you want leeks, bore your finger into your hand, then put your hand flat to your nose as if you were smelling something.

If you want beans, put your index finger on the first joint of your thumb.v

If you want peas, put your thumb on your little finger.

If you want an apple, crook your right thumb into the middle of your hand and take hold of it with your fingers and lift up your fist.

If you want a pear, do the same, but spread your fingers.

If you want a plum, do the same but with your left hand, and stroke your fist with your index finger.

If you want cherries, put your left thumb on the joint of your little finger, then pinch it with your right hand.

If you want eggs, scrape with your finger on your left thumb.

If you want salt, shake your hand with your three fingers as if you were salting something.

If you want pepper, knock with one index finger on the other.

If you want honey, put your finger on your tongue.

If you want fish, move your hand in the way a fish moves its tail when it swims.

If you want eel, move your right hand and then put it on your left arm, with the left hand stretched out, and stroke across it with your right hand, as if you were cutting it.

If you need a Bible, move your hand around and hold up your thumb and put your hand flat against your cheek.

If you need a Psalter, stroke with your right index finger on your left hand, as if you were paying great attention.

If you need a Martyrology, lay your index finger over your throat.

If you need a rod, move your fist as if you were going to hit someone.

If you need a scourge, move your fist in the same way and raise two fingers.

If you need a candle, blow on your index finger.