Monasteries were communities of monks and nuns that lived according to strict religious rules. They provided shelter and education to locals while devoting their lives to prayer, work, and scripture copying on a daily schedule. Boys hoping to become monks underwent training and vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience before joining the monastery as full members.

1. By Ryan Leahy

2. Monasteries
 Many people liked to get away from the
crowd and pray.
 They set up communities of men and
women which were called monasteries
and convents.
 The men were called monks and the
women nuns.

3. Monasteries
 They followed strict rules, which had
been made up by an Italian monk called
St. Benedict.
 They had to pray regularly, fast and
obey the abbot who was head of the
monastery (or abbey, as it was
sometimes called).

4. Monasteries
 Monasteries acted as inns and
hospitals, and poor people often went
there for help.
 Boys and sometimes girls were
educated in monasteries.

5. A medieval monastery
 The church is where the monks prayed
seven times a day.
 The dormitory is where the monks slept.
 The cloisters is where the monks walked
and prayed
 The Chapter House is where the monks
met to discuss the business of the
monastery and elect the abbot.
 The infirmary where the sick were nursed.

6. A medieval monastery
 The library is where the monks studied
or copied manuscripts.
 The quest house is where the monks
gave food to poor people and travellers.
 The refectory is where the monks ate
their meals.

7. A monastery

8. Becoming a monk
 When a boy joined a monastery he was
called a novice. He had to learn the rules
and see if the life suited him. If the abbot
thought the novice would make a monk, he
let him take solemn vows.
 These were promises of poverty (he must
not own anything), chastity (he must not
marry) and obedience (he must do what
the abbot told him).
 Then his hair was cut in a tonsure. This
was a bald patch in the middle of his head.
It showed that a man was a monk.

9. A monk

10. Daily life in a medieval
monastery
 3am: Day begins. The monks get out of
bed to sing matins (morning prayers) in the
church.
 4-6am: Return to bed for a brief sleep.
 6am: Silent prayer.
 7am: Breakfast, like all meals, was eaten in
strict silence.
 8-9.30am: Work in the fields or in the
library.
 10am: High Mass in the church.
 11am-2pm: Work again

11. Daily life in a medieval
monastery
 2pm: Dinner was the main meal of the
day.
 2.30pm: Reading.
 3-5pm: Work.
 5pm: Vespers (evening prayers).
 6pm: Supper.
 8pm: Compline (night prayer) and retire
to bed.

12. Types of monks
 The abbot was the head of the
monastery and was elected by the
monks.
 When he was away on business his
place was taken by the prior.
 The almoner looked after the travellers
who came to the monastery.
 The infirmarian looked after the sick.
 The librarian looked after the library.