Editing Romanesque architecture (section)

====Monasticism====
The system of monasticism in which the religious become members of an order, with common ties and a common rule, living in a mutually dependent community, rather than as a group of hermits living in proximity but essentially separate, was established by the monk [[Benedict of Nursia|Benedict]] in the 6th century. The [[Benedictines|Benedictine]] monasteries spread from Italy throughout Europe, being always by far the most numerous in England. They were followed by the [[Cluniacs|Cluniac]] order, the [[Cistercians]], [[Carthusian]]s and [[Augustinian Canons]]. During the [[Crusades]], the military orders of the [[Knights Hospitaller]] and the [[Knights Templar]] were founded.

The monasteries, which sometimes also functioned as cathedrals, and the cathedrals that had bodies of secular clergy often living in community, were a major source of power in Europe. Bishops and the abbots of important monasteries lived and functioned like princes. The monasteries were the major seats of learning of all sorts. Benedict had ordered that all the arts were to be taught and practiced in the monasteries. Within the monasteries books were transcribed by hand, and few people outside the monasteries could read or write.<ref name=BF/>

In France, Burgundy was the centre of monasticism. The enormous and powerful monastery at [[Cluny Abbey|Cluny]] was to have lasting effect on the layout of other monasteries and the design of their churches. Very little of the abbey church at Cluny remains; the "Cluny II" rebuilding of 963 onwards has completely vanished, but we have a good idea of the design of "Cluny III" from 1088 to 1130, which until the Renaissance remained the largest building in Europe. However, the church of [[Basilica of St. Sernin, Toulouse|St. Sernin]] at [[Toulouse]], 1080–1120, has remained intact and demonstrates the regularity of Romanesque design with its modular form, its massive appearance and the repetition of the simple arched window motif.<ref name=HG/>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="170" widths="220" caption="Types of churches">
File:Slidredomen, Vestre Slidre.JPG|alt=A little stone church with a little steeple on a wooden belfry sits in a green graveyard overlooking a lake and mountains.|Many parish churches across Europe, such as this in [[Vestre Slidre]], Norway, are of Romanesque foundation.
File:Abbey-of-senanque-provence-gordes.jpg|alt=In a wooded valley is a large church with small windows and a square stone belfry. It is surrounded by ancient buildings arranged around courtyards, and a lavender garden.|The Romanesque [[Sénanque Abbey]] church and surrounding monastic buildings, Gordes, [[Provence]], France
File:Celles JPG00.jpg|alt=The houses of a small town, surrounded by green hillsides, are dominated by a huge church with a large square tower and a spire like a witch's hat.|Collegiate churches such as that of [[Saint Hadelin]], [[Celles, Houyet|Celles]], Belgium, were administered by lay canons.
File:Trier Dom BW 24.JPG|alt=A huge cathedral with numerous towers, both square and round, rises above a town square where people are sitting in the shade of clipped trees.|Many cathedrals such as [[Trier Cathedral]], Germany, date from this period, with many later additions.
</gallery>