1. Women in the service of god
Nunneries
Women in the service of god

5. Divisions of Orders
In England there were approx. 138 Nunneries between
Altogether throughout Europe in 1400’s there were all total 819 communities known to exist
The Main order being the Benedictine accounting for half

6. History of nunneries 7th century Earliest known English Nunneries
9th century Earliest great imperial Abbeys established by newly Christianized Saxon Nobility
10th century attempt to place canonesses under monastic rule – little success
11th century majority of medieval nunneries were established

7. History
12th-13th century medicant nunneries were founded – Franciscan and Dominican
14th century wealthy urban merchant class accounted for increasing number of convent admissions
1417 provincial chapter of the Benedictines decreed that when not enough noble candidates were available – commoners could be accepted
15th century Observant reform
Dissolution of the monasteries
20th century some of the sites have been re-established

8. Division of Orders ½ Benedictine Order ¼ Cistercian Order
17 St. Augustine
1 St. John Jerusalem
4 Franciscan
2 Cluniac Order
2 Premonstratensian
1 Dominio

9. Benedictine order
Benedictine A monk or nun of an order following the rule of St Benedict . From the original Benedictine foundations at Subiaco and Monte Cassino in Italy the number of monastic houses in Europe grew to many thousands. The order reached its peak of prestige and influence in the 10th and 11th centuries, with the abbey of Cluny in Burgundy its most prestigious foundation. The basic concept of Benedictine monasticism was that it should encourage a way of life separated from the world, within which monks could achieve a life devoted to prayer.
How to cite this entry: "Benedictine" A Dictionary of World History. Oxford University Press, Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. U. of New Brunswick Libraries. 26 January 2012 <

10. Cistercian Order
Cistercian Order of monks founded (1098) in Citeaux, France, by BENEDICTINE monks led by St Robert of Molesme. St BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX was largely responsible for the growth of the order in the 12th century. In the 17th century the order split into two communities: Common Observance and Strict Observance, the latter popularly known as TRAPPISTS.
How to cite this entry: "Cistercian" World Encyclopedia. Philip's, Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. U. of New Brunswick Libraries. 26 January 2012 <

11. St. Augustine Order
Augustinian Hermits or Friars, now officially the Order of the Brothers of St Augustine or Order of St Augustine. A religious order living under the Rule of StAugustine. It was formed in 1256 by the union of various congregations of hermits and became widely established in W. Europe. It was to a reformed congregation of this order that M. Luther belonged. Though they suffered badly from the effects of the Reformation and the secularization of later times, they still survive, notably in Europe, N. and S. America, and the Philippines.
How to cite this entry: "Augustinian Hermits" The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Ed. E. A. Livingstone. Oxford University Press, Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. U. of New Brunswick Libraries. 26 January 2012 <

12. Doweries Canonesses and convents required payment to keep the women
payment was generally less than a dowry and could include:
Lands/ property
Books
Money
Jewelry

13. Canonesses Only admitted women of nobility Lived among equals Property
Private apartments
Comfortable lifestyle including:
Maids
Servants
Ladies in waiting
All the same luxuries of home
Able to dress as they would at home
Most fashionable clothing of the time
Hair do’s and makeup
Travelled
Entertained visitors

14. Canonesses
Played an important dynastic role in administering patrimonial lands and benefices
Looked at as a way to preserve family fortunes and fortify reputations
Service to God on behalf of the family was a responsibility and a valued contribution to its well being
Not bound by formal vows:
only had to vow obedience to the abbess
Chastity while in residence at convent

15. Canonesses Chief duties were: Free to leave at anytime to marry
Singing the Hours
Attending religious services
Free to leave at anytime to marry
Able to visit relations
These Canonesses resembled more of an elegant boarding house or seminary
Provided women an opportunity to become literate and live a life unencumbered by the burdens of marriage

16. Canonesses Seen as more of a finishing school for nobility
Often a place of retirement for widows
An asylum during periods of martial conflict
Temporary retreat while husbands were away on long trips abroad
Offered the opportunity for:
further education
Leadership
Organisation
Able to devote themselves to learning and the arts

17. Roles of nuns Nuns lived a more complex than quiet life
Provided social services of the time
Hospitals
Overnight hostels
Schools
Provided food and medicine to people in surrounding countryside

18. Women’s roles
Abbess of the convent often oversaw the lands and often acted in the same capacity as a Lord.
They were often in communication with the King
Often a woman of nobility was appointed as Abbess to keep relations between the convent and nobility strong

19. Role in society Religion promised equality for all – especially women
Women played strong and vibrant roles in all areas of society
Actively writing, teaching and praying
Went on pilgrimages travelling all over Europe
Constant contact with other nunneries throughout Europe and as a consequence were well aware of what was happening in the world.
Patronesses of the arts and frequently commissioned great works for their convents

20. Role within outer world
Due to their social standing and economic power nuns factored into world affairs
Conscious of their role outside convent
Educated nuns had extensive correspondence with leading intellectual figures of the day
One Abbess of a convent in Bingen, Germany wrote philosophical treaties and travelled widely in Europe to share her scholarship
Hildegard of Bingen ( )
“marvel of Germany”
Scientist, healer, composer and corresponded with great thinkers