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