Women in the service of god
Nunneries1400-1500
Divisions of Orders In England there were approx. 138
Nunneries between 1270 -1536 Altogether throughout Europe in 1400’s
there were all total 819 communities known to exist
The Main order being the Benedictine accounting for half
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
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 1535-1599 Dissolution of the monasteries 20th century some of the sites have been re-
established
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
Benedictine orderBenedictine 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, 2000. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. U. of New Brunswick Libraries. 26 January 2012 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t48.e408>
Cistercian OrderCistercian 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, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. U. of New Brunswick Libraries. 26 January 2012 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t142.e2474>
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, 2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. U. of New Brunswick Libraries. 26 January 2012 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t95.e467>
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
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
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
Canonesses Chief duties were:
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
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
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
Women’s rol es
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
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
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 (1098-1179) “marvel of Germany” Scientist, healer, composer and corresponded
with great thinkers