Those Who Pray

‘It is well known that in this world there are three orders set in unity,’ wrote Aelfric, abbot of Eynsham, Oxfordshire, at the turn of the eleventh century. ‘Laboratores are those who labour for our living; Oratores are those who pray to God for our peace; Ballatores are those who battle to protect our towns and defend our land against invading armies.’ Of these three pillars of medieval feudal society, it is the second, ‘those who pray’ — members of the monastic and religious orders  —  who have left the greatest artistic and cultural legacy.