Limness12 Sep 2002

in the Middle Ages, the church bell tower would call people (monks and nuns, especially) to prayer. It was used to mark time as well. Matins, Ave, Evensong--all of these were times of prayer throughout the day, either rung on different bells, or with different sounds. Matins was just before dawn. So 'toll the Matins' here, means sunup.