Lesson 36: Henry VIII and the Monasteries
Background information
Monasteries were places where monks were meant to work hard on the land and study
the Bible, copying out parts, and helping the sick or the poor and spending a great
deal of time praying to God. Different monasteries had different rules, but they were
all fairly similar and most followed the Benedictine Rule. Monks were the most
learned members of society and many spent long hours carefully writing and
illustrating copies of Bibles and prayer books. Boys as young as 7 became monks and
at 16 they made vows, which usually included vows of Poverty, Chastity and
Obedience.
http://education.hodge.continuumbooks.com © Susie Hodge (2010)
Resources for Teaching History 11–14. London: Continuum.