Anglo-Saxon monasteries
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe Anglo-Saxon monasticism and the reform movement of the 10th century.
Key learning points
- In the 8th century, there were at least 200 monasteries in England, almost all Benedictine.
- Some monasteries were large and wealthy establishments and many were important centres of learning.
- The 9th century saw an actual decline in monasticism and also a change in how monasteries were run.
- Viking raids and invasions targeted monasteries and were most responsible for the decline in monasticism.
- A reform movement in the 10th century brought changes to monasticism in southern England.
Keywords
Abbey - the building occupied by a community of monks or nuns
Benedictine - following the rule of St Benedict, a 6th century monk who wrote guidelines for how monks and nuns should live
Monastery - a community of monks
Monasticism - relating to monks and monasteries and religious life in monasteries
Reform - to change with the intention of making better
Common misconception
That Anglo-Saxon monasteries all followed the same rules, as set out by St Benedict.
In fact, the abbot of a monastery was able to decide what the rules of their monastery should be, so that there was a lot of variation between monasteries.
Teacher tip
Students could make links between the reforms made to monasteries by Lanfranc after 1070 with the reforms made a century earlier under King Edgar.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The year 1066 is part of the century.
Q2.What type of beliefs are monks committed to?
Q3.What is the name of the building where monks live and work?
Q4.What was the religion in England in the 11th century?
Q5.Making changes to something in order to improve it - especially an institution or practice - is referred to as ...
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following invasions of England into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. The 6th century monk who wrote guidelines for how monks and nuns should live was called Saint ...
Q2.Match each word with its correct definition.
Q3.Write the missing word. In addition to their religious function, monasteries were also important centres of ...
Q4.Which group of 10th century invaders targeted monasteries and were responsible for a decline in English monasticism?
Q5.Why did the reform movement argue it was necessary to change practices in English monasteries?
Q6.Why were 90% of monasteries able to resist the 10th century Church reforms?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Anglo-Saxon monasteries, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Anglo-Saxon monasteries, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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