Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 10 History Guides

Year 10 - History

Anglo-Saxon monasteries

Castle Acre Priory

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the historical environment, choosing the relevant site study to complement their understanding of Norman England.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe Anglo-Saxon monasticism and the reform movement of the 10th century.

Key Notes

  • In the 8th century, there were at least 200 monasteries in England, almost all Benedictine.
  • Some monasteries were large and wealthy establishments and many were important centres of learning.
  • The 9th century saw an actual decline in monasticism and also a change in how monasteries were run.
  • Viking raids and invasions targeted monasteries and were most responsible for the decline in monasticism.
  • A reform movement in the 10th century brought changes to monasticism in southern England.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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
  • monastery: a community of monks
  • monasticism: relating to monks and monasteries and religious life in monasteries
  • reform: to change with the intention of making better

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • That Anglo-Saxon monasteries all followed the same rules, as set out by St Benedict.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

In the 8th century, there were at least 200 monasteries in England, almost all Benedictine. Some monasteries were large and wealthy establishments and many were important centres of learning.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'abbey'

the building occupied by a community of monks or nuns.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: That Anglo-Saxon monasteries all followed the same rules, as set out by St Benedict. Correction: In fact, the abbot of a monastery was able to decide what the rules of their monastery should be, so that there was a lot of variation between monasteries.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 History guide library.