Cluniac monasteries
I can explain how Cluniac monasteries differed from Benedictine monasteries.
Cluniac monasteries
I can explain how Cluniac monasteries differed from Benedictine monasteries.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Cluny Abbey was founded in 910 by the Duke of Aquitaine (a region in France), as a Benedictine monastery.
- Cluny Abbey was largely independent and returned to strictly following the Rule of St Benedict.
- The Cluniac order developed a much longer and more complex liturgy, in the aim of providing perpetual prayer.
- The Cluniac order spent so much time praying that they relied on local employees to do all their manual work.
- Cluniac priories were brought to England by the Normans, but remained under the strict control of Cluny Abbey.
Keywords
Cluniac - an order of monks which focused on prayer and reflection
Abbey - the building occupied by a community of monks or nuns
Benedictine - following the rule of St Benedict, a 6th century monk who wrote guidelines for how monks and nuns should live
Priory - a monastery or nunnery under the control of an abbey and run by a prior
Common misconception
That all reform in monasteries came from the Cluniac order.
In fact, some Benedictine monasteries also introduced reform, and monasteries were reforming in 10th century Anglo-Saxon England well before the Cluniac order arrived in England.
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Cluniac monasteries, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 history lesson on: Cluniac monasteries, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Castle Acre Priory unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
an order of monks which focused on prayer and reflection
the building occupied by a community of monks or nuns
following the rule of St Benedict, who wrote guidelines for monks
a monastery under the control of an abbey and run by a prior