The existing gatehouse was the more important of the two original gatehouses.  This inner or great gatehouse was an essential part of the abbey to maintain seclusion from the outside world. Visitors were received here and directed to the appropriate part of the abbey. In the centre of the gatehouse are two archways, one wide enough for carts and the other for pedestrians. Visitors to the abbey could be directed straight through towards the church and abbey buildings or through the archway to the right for the outer court across the stream. Near the pedestrian arch a small doorway leads to the circular stair which gave access to the rooms above. These rooms served as the abbot’s offices for the administrative business of the abbey.  Cistercian Abbey at Roche, South Yorkshire, England.