The pattern of the day is broadly similar. An 'Order', in this sense, is an organisation of people who agree to follow the same rules. The Benedictine Order was founded in Italy by St Benedict in the 6th century. It soon became the largest order of monks in Europe. The Benedictine Order has always emphasised the importance of education.
Benedictine monks wear black habits.
The Cistercian Order of monks was founded in France in the 12th century. It was a reforming movement. Cistercians believed that too many monasteries at that time had forgotten the importance of work, prayer and simple living, which St Benedict had emphasised. Cistercian monks largely founded the English wool industry, using the income from exports to fund their monasteries. Cistercians wear white habits.