A monastic centre inhabited by both men and women who lived separately from each other but worshipped together (though separated by barriers). In Anglo-Saxon England double monasteriesDouble Monastery A monastic centre inhabited by both men and women who lived separately from each other but worshipped together (though separated by barriers). In Anglo-Saxon England double monasteries were ruled over by an abbess, but in the later medieval period leadership was increasingly assumed by men. In the later Middle Ages, religious orders were founded specifically as double orders. The Gilbertine religious order was an order of double houses, founded in England in the twelfth century to support the female contemplative life, but male canons soon came to dominate. Other orders with double monasteries were the Fontevraudines and (briefly) the Premonstratensians. were ruled over by an abbessAbbess Head of a community of nuns, but in the later medieval period leadership was increasingly assumed by men. In the later Middle Ages, religiousReligious 1. Concerned with religion, showing belief in God or a deity. 2. In regards to an individual, refers to a member of an order of monks, nuns or friars who follow a Rule of life orders were founded specifically as double orders. The Gilbertine religious orderReligious Order All the different religious houses, regardless of location, which are united and bound by the same Rule. There are religious orders of monks or nuns (eg Benedictines, Cistercians), regular canons or regular canonesses (eg Augustinians, Premonstratensians, Arrouaisians, Victorines), and mendicants (eg Dominican Order, Franciscans, Carmelites). was an order of double houses, founded in England in the twelfth century to support the female contemplative life, but male canons soon came to dominate. Other orders with double monasteries were the Fontevraudines and (briefly) the Premonstratensians.