The monastic regime developed alongside the earliest English establishment of the Christian Church. The Roman/Irish/English movement stretched over some 600 years. In earliest times there were some who would seek an ascetic form of dedicated, self-severe devotion. This would include the hermit in a cave dwelling and those individuals who requested to be locked up in the confinement of a church building.

While there were early signs of established Christianity in southern England early in the 4^th century, following its legitimisation by Constantine the Great, the Roman’s departure (410) caused the country to slip back into paganism. St Augustine was sent to Britain by Pope Gregory in 597 to convert the Anglo Saxons and Aethelberht of Kent, from a diocesan see at Canterbury , encouraged the conversion to Christianity. This can be seen as the Roman-led form that spread northwards until it clashed with the Celtic form and traditions that had come over from Ireland.

Asceticism is characterised by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. From the Irish perspective, it was St Finnian of Clonard that founded the initial monastic movement, at Meath in Wales. The small wooden churches, developed into stone as the traditions grew. St Columba in 563, another pupil of Clonard, created an abbey at Iona in the Hebrides.

Iona Abbey

Christianity was established in Northumbria at Lindisfarne around 634 by St Aidan. Other Celtic monasteries were created including Whitby Abbey. St Cuthbert, the renowned hermit was of the Celtic traditions and spent some time in isolation on the remote island of Inner Farne.

There was a decline in the monasteries during the tenth century, led by Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, supported by King Edgar (959-975) which included the rule of celibacy within enclosed monasteries. Strict restrictions were required by the rule of St Benedict. And, by the time of the Norman Conquest, around 50% of the clergy were leaving the monasteries. The rest were secular and lived among the populace. By 1130 roughly half of the cathedrals had monasteries attached to them.

Stricter observance of the Benedict rule, inflamed by Dunstan’s reforms, introduced the first Cluniac House in England in 1081 and amounting to 35 monasteries by the time of the Dissolution. The Cistercians and the Cluniac’s were established to generally reform the monastic movement. Cistercian architecture is considered amongst the most beautiful of building styles. Their technical mastery is renown over hydraulic engineering and agricultural husbandry.

The monasteries provided literacy and learning to the populace. Education was intricately linked with the Church. The religious houses created hospitals and provided support for the sick. A decline in monastic power began in the 14^th century, when the ‘Black Death’ killed so many in Britain.

In 1535 suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII had led to the Dissolution of the Religious Houses. Some small restorations took place under the brief rule of Mary Tudor but were shortly removed when Elizabeth I took the Throne. Catholicism was then banned for over 200 years. The resultant ruins of the abandoned Religious Houses are now a romantic and charming part of the English landscape.

Dissolution and destruction

Recognition of the Religious Orders:-

• Benedictions wearing a black cowl = Black Monks
• Cistercians wearing a white cowl = White Monks
• Dominican Friars wearing a black cape over white habit = Black Friars
• Franciscan Friars wearing grey habit = Grey Friars
• Carmelite Friars wearing white cape = White Friars
• Augustan Canons wearing black cloak = Black Canons