Norman monastic reform
I can describe how monasteries were involved in Norman religious reforms.
Norman monastic reform
I can describe how monasteries were involved in Norman religious reforms.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Monastic life in Norman England was based on the Rule of St Benedict.
- Monasteries were important to Lanfranc's reforms of the English Church.
- As well as his Church reforms, Lanfranc also circulated new monastic rules.
- The Normans introduced Cluniac monasteries to England.
- English abbots were replaced with Normans.
Keywords
Order - in this context, groups of monks or nuns who live together as a religious community, following a set of rules for that order
Liturgy - the prayers and rituals regularly carried out together by a religious community or religious group
Celibate - not having sexual relationships, usually for religious reasons
Constitution - a set of principles and legal decisions which people agree to follow
Common misconception
Monks were all poor.
Although individual monks gave up all their possessions, Norman monasteries were often extremely wealthy because they held very large amount of land granted to them by the king or Norman barons and knights.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
groups of monks who live as a religious community following set rules
the prayers regularly carried out together by a religious group
not having sexual relationships, usually for religious reasons
a set of principles and legal decisions which people agree to follow