Monasteries, Abbeys and Priories

The Gatehouse, Cleeve Abbey, Somerset

Large monasteries were generally known as abbeys and smaller ones priories. There were abbeys all over the country, and there would always be one close to a cathedral.

A monastery was the home of the monks as well as a place of worship. There was, of course, a chapel which was the most important building, but also there were rooms to work, sleep, eat and cook. There was usually a garden to produce food for the monks.

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