What did the Monks do in Monasteries in the 1500's?

Answer 1

Most of the Christian monasteries in England and across Europe were of ancient origin and by the 16th century had become firmly entrenched in the fabric of society. Unfortunately, the communities of monasteries had become very corrupt. Whereas they had once been centres of learning and knowledge, filled with monks and nuns of great piety, they had become very wealthy through money gained by the exorbitant rents exacted from peasants who dwelt on their land. The numbers of monks and nuns inhabiting monasteries had decreased so considerably that many only had a quorum of approximately 12, which was generally considered to be the least number of religious required to sing the Divine Office. In England the situation changed dramatically during the reign of Henry VIII and his Chancellor Thomas Cromwell. It came to the attention of the King and his Chancellor that much of the arable land (approximately 1/4) belonged to monasteries. This situation was brutally redressed: by the mid 16th century Henry and Cromwell had closed down close to 700 monasteries. Following Henry's split with the Church of Rome, he proceeded to close down monasteries in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In all, approximately 1500 had been closed with their land being sold to nobles and the dispossessed monks and nuns were given small pensions. A similar pattern of closing down monasteries occurred in Europe as well.

Answer 2

my social studies book says they taught reading and writing since most in medieval Europe didn't know how. im not too sure because the book is 7th grade standards-medieval times

Answer 3

Copied and illuminated books; studied history.

Answer 4

They were religious grounds like churches where people would go for there religious givings and offerings. It was very much like a church or a mission.