Cistercian Life

Through these pages you can explore the history of the Cistercian order from its origins in Burgundy to its introduction in Britain and Yorkshire. You will also be able to explore various aspects of Cistercian life including the organisation of the Order, the monks’ and lay brothers' daily routine, Cistercian spirituality and environment.

		THE CISTERCIANS \| The Order \| Cistercians in Britain \| Cistercians in Yorkshire \|
		ORGANISATION \|Cistercian administration \| The General Chapter \| Visitation \|
		SPIRITUALITY \| The Cistercian church \| Devotion to the Virgin \| An essay on the Cistercian liturgy (pdf file)\| Monastic Devotion \| Music \|
		LAY-BROTHERS \|Their place in the Order \| Lifestyle \|
		MONASTIC LIFE \|Cistercian clothing \| Death and burial \| Food and drink \| Manual labour \| Sickness and health \| Hospitality \| Charity
		IMAGES OF CISTERCIAN LIFE \| Community \| Daily life \| Work \| Sources \| Cistercians through modern eyes \|
		WOMEN \| Introduction \| Nuns \| The Cistercians’ attitude to women visitors \| Benefactors \|
		DAILY LIFE- Requires Flash \| Day in the life of a monk \| Day in the life of a lay-brother \| Who’s Who in the Abbey \| Modem Versions \|
		TOURS \| Abbey church at Kirkstall \| Fontenay abbey \|
		LEARNING \| The Oxford college \| The Library at Rievaulx \| The Library at Fountains \|
		ENVIRONMENT \| Overview \| Farming \| Industry \| Water \| Woodland \|