EXPLORING LIFE, DEATH AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN MEDIEVAL TIMES
5 Square tower Rounded arches Spire Rose window
An example of Romanesque architecture Monks and nuns
In the Middle Ages, many men and women became monks and nuns. Monks lived in monasteries and nuns lived in nunneries (convents).
The monasteries did much good work: ● They helped the poor and sheltered travellers. ● They looked after the sick. ● They taught reading and writing. ● Monasteries also gave sanctuary, or protection, to people who were threatened with violence or arrest.
There were many different orders of monks and nuns – such as the Benedictines, the Cistercians and the Augustinians. Monks and nuns followed the Rule of St Benedict which was drawn up in Italy in the 6th century. Many of the nuns came from the upper classes.
Some monasteries, abbeys and nunneries became very rich. People then criticised some monks and nuns for not following their vows. As a result, new orders of monks were founded, called friars. They wandered from place to place, preaching to the people and looking after the poor and sick. The most important of the new orders were the Dominicans and the Franciscans. New orders of nuns were also founded.
An example of Gothic architecture Buttresses Lancet windows