Medieval

Monks & Nuns

What are we going to take a
look at?
- The purpose of monks
and nuns
- Becoming a monk or nun
- Daily Life
- Monasteries
- Church architecture
 The Purpose of
Monks and Nuns
• Monks and nuns did much to help and
improve medieval society.
• They tended to the sick.
• They taught people to read and write.
• They provided charity to the poor.
• They provided accommodation to people
travelling.
• They provided sanctuary (place of safety)
to people in danger of being attacked or
arrested.
• Q1: Does the work of monks and nuns
remind you of any modern institutions or
organisations?
 Becoming a Monk or
Nun
• Anyone who became a monk or nun first
had to serve as a novice (think of it like an
apprentice craftsman).
• They would help with the work of the
monastery (monks) or convent (nuns) and
learn the Rule of St. Benedict.
• The head abbot or abbess would decide if
the novice became a monk or nun.
• New monks and nuns took three vows
(promises): 1. Poverty – no personal
possessions, 2. Chastity – never marry or
have kids and 3. Obedience – obey their
abbot or abbess
• New monks had their heads shaved in the
 Daily Life
• According to the Rule of St. Benedict,
monk/nun life was organised around prayer
and work.
• Being inactive (or idle) was seen as a pathway
to living a bad or sinful life which is why
monks/nuns kept themselves so busy.
• Prayer was held seven times a day in the
church.
• Monks/nuns did various jobs in their
monasteries/convents: farming, teaching,
creating manuscripts, embroidery, providing
medical aid and charity to locals.
• Q2: Do you admire the work of monks and
nuns or do you wonder why they bothered?
• Q3: Could you ever imagine yourself as a nun?
Why? Why not?
Some did lose the run of themselves.
 Monasteries
• The church was the main
building and was used for
mass.
• The cloister was a covered
walkway enclosed by a
garden.
• Manuscripts were worked
on in the scriptorium.
• Sick people were treated in
the infirmary.
• Meals were had in the
refectory.
• The dormitory provided
sleeping quarters.
Do you recognise this cloister?
 Church
Architecture
• Over the course of the
Middle Ages, the style of
church architecture changed
from Romanesque to
Gothic.
• The features of Gothic style
included rose windows,
lancet windows, pointed
windows, spires and
buttresses.
• Q4: Do any of you recognise
this famous landmark?
• Q5: Do you prefer Gothic or
Romanesque style and why?
A Romanesque Abbey