[Lalwendë]

As davem says the medieval college is also another link. In their early days, Oxbridge colleges were established as almost monastic institutions, and religion remains to this day tied up with the colleges; it wasn't long before Tolkien himself arrived at Oxford that Catholics had finally been allowed to study in the colleges affiliated to the University. But in their early days, and really up to the 18th century, Oxbridge colleges were stark, unpleasant places - the students lived a truly bleak existence and even had to fear for their lives in Oxford as there were well known riots and murders involving students vs town dwellers.

Those great abbeys of course were all very different in their outlook and how they directed their members to live. At Whitby under Hilda for example, accommodation would consist of a 'beehive' shaped 'cell', following the Celtic tradition - the grand buildings being reserved for worship as it was a matter of faith that the members lived as harsh an everyday life as possible. Whitby of course was just one of several institutions that was for both men and women.

Another interesting link is that the old Abbeys were centres of political power, as was Rivendell; many a corrupt man or woman would seek a career in the Church as being head of an Abbey was not only a path to riches but to power, holding great tracts of land, being able to levy taxes and tithes and influence the barons. It was no mistake that many of the members came from the gentry. You see this at Rivendell, which seems to be a 'home' to several powerful Elves including Glorfindel, and it also sends out envoys to exert an influence on Middle-earth.