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Abbey (or monastery) : Monastic establishment under the jurisdiction of an abbot (or abbess). The term often refers to the church of an abbey.

Abbot : Head of the abbey. Under the Rule of St Benedict, the abbot was chosen and elected among the Community. His authority was absolute within the Community. He could also be involved in government and as such Kings and Bishops took a great interest in who was elected.

Almoner : looked after the poor who visited the abbey (giving alms).

Brother : all monks were addressed as brothers.

Bursar : in charge of financial accounts.

Cellarer : Responsible for provisions. Supervising the Lay Brothers.

Cenobitism : word formerly used to describe the monastic life lived in a community.

Chancellor : in charge of the library, and the copying by hand of books.

Chapter : In the Rule of St Benedict, the community’s daily meeting which took place in the Chapter House. During the Chapter a brother reads a chapter of the Rule, brothers confess their faults and receive penitence…

Cistercian : a monk living in a community under the strict adherence of the Rule of St Benedict. The revival of search for pure monastic life started at Citeaux in France. Cistercians have a life of worship, work, poverty and chastity : they spend their days in prayers and work. The Cistercians were very popular and by 1152 there were more than 300 abbeys in Europe.

Conversus (pl. Conversi) : adult convert to the religious life and in a Cistercian abbey a Lay Brother. Working man from the community.

Cowl : hood.

Crozier : ornamental shepherd's crook, carried by abbot (or bishop).