All monks may have been equal before the eyes of the Lord but they were most definitely not equal during their earthly time at the monastery. In theory, their standing depended on their particular role in the community, but oftentimes it was their previous social standing (or their financial contributions to the monastery) that determined their position in the hierarchy. Some monks were entitled to servants; others were exempt from onerous tasks; novices were often forbidden to drink wine or even eat in the dining hall. Noble women could pray alone in separate cells and keep assistants. Finally, most monks could keep control of their private property and distribute it as they saw fit.