Inside A Monastery
Glastonbury was the oldest and most powerful monastery in Britain. Celtic monks had built a simple church on this site in Roman times. The Benedcitine monastery was founded by Saxon King Ine. Under Norman rule it became the greatest monastery in the land. This is a model of what it looked like before Henry the Eighth brutally closed it in 1539.
model of Glastonbury Abbey
Model of Glastonbury Abbey
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DORMITORY - Where the monks or nuns slept. The Abbot or Abbess had their own rooms. The monks slept dressed.

CHURCH - The services (offices) were the most important parts of the day. Within these the Psalms from the Bible (Psalter) were chanted. In the course of a week, all the Psalms would be sung.

CLOISTER - A covered walkway around a courtyard. Bookwork would take place in the south (sunny) side and novices (new monks) would be taught in the Eastern side. New recruits would have their head shaved in a tonsure and take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
cloisters
The Cloisters at Norwich
Photograph © FreeFoto.com
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