A School of the Lord's Service
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The Rule of St Benedict envisaged ‘a school of learning in the Lord’s service’ undergirded by prayer, manual work and hospitality.
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Able Norwich monks studied at Oxford and one, Adam Easton, served in the Roman curia and was created cardinal in 1381 by Pope Urban VI.
The 12th century monastic scribe Eadwine at work
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The daily round of services – the Opus Dei – was the main work of the community.
Monks in choir, from a late medieval Psalter
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Following the Reformation in 1549 Archbishop Cranmer transposed the monastic hours to form the Prayer Book offices of Mattins and Evensong.
The present cathedral foundation sings Evensong each day, continuing a tradition almost unbroken since the Reformation.
The choir of Norwich Cathedral sing in the medieval monks’ stalls,
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