Monks and Monasteries (Bryan) Medieval monasteries were the richest landowners in Medieval England; more so than any medieval king. Monasteries dominated the church in Medieval England as the monks who lived and worked in them were considered to be extremely holy. In Medieval England, the belief in Heaven and Hell was total. Medieval Peasants were taught that the only way to Heaven and salvation was by the Church. Therefore, people worked on Church land for free. Money dues were paid to the church for baptism, marriage and death. Also every year, each family paid a tenth of it’s yearly pay to the Church known as Tithes. Such an income made the Church fabulously wealthy and powerful. It gained huge areas of land and it was on this land that monasteries were built.