Meet the Middle Ages
BackMore about mendicant orders
These orders were founded during the 12th century as a protest against the monasteries which were considered to be too corrupt and wealthy. Francis of Assissi and St. Dominic, for example, thought that it was much better to live in poverty and amongst the people than to stay in a closed monastery. They had many followers, and the movement grew rapidly. The mendicant friars came to the Nordic countries in the 13th century.
The friaries of the Dominican Order, founded in the towns, were led by a prior. Those of the Franciscan Order were led by a guardian. The mendicant orders did not belong to the Church.
The friars were often well educated and always ordained as priests. This meant that they had the right to conduct Mass and to listen to confessions. They also christened, married and buried people.