Questions concerning Victorian convents

[indri]

Assume, for the sake of it, that I know very little about organised religion. All my memories of Sunday school involve colouring in Joseph's coat.

So how long would one spend in a convent before one could take holy orders? What might the preparation involve? Could anyone point me towards a URL or book on life in mid-Victorian nunneries? My google skills seem to be failing me tonight and I want to get back to the writing.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/peasant_/]

:: bounces up and down with excitement ::

Yes! Yes!

I've always assumed it took him years to torment her properly (but not too many given his short attention span). I've always wanted to read a fic which really considers the tormenting in mental terms, not just the puppy-nailing ones, and by George if you are writing that fic then I can't think of anyone better qualified! Write! Write!

(Is this the one you want me to beta? :: bounces some more ::)

[indri]

Aaaaaah!

It's supposed to be a quick post-NFA piece with flashbacks. And then I stupidly thought about it too hard. Or, you know, just a little.

I'm sending you an email about this to pick your brains a bit and have a bit of discussion. I considered posting it here, but then I'd spoil my entire reading audience for the story and not just my beta.