0
Taking the example of a Cistercian monastery in Yorkshire, Kirkstall Abbey, it was surrounded by empty countryside until fairly modern times. Fountains Abbey, another Cistercian house was described as set in "… a place uninhabited for all the centuries back, thick set with thorns, lying between the slopes of mountains and among rocks jutting out on both sides; fit, rather, it seemed, to be the lair of wild beasts than the home of human beings. Its name was Skelldale."
Not all monasteries were quite so remote, but all were intended to be separated from society as far as possible, away from The Temptations and sins of the outside world.
So the importance of monasteries was indirect and almost accidental as far as "the community" was concerned. The Cistercians in particular were extremely good sheep farmers, using immense tracts of land to raise good quality sheep for wool production. They improved sheep farming by introducing new techniques and improving the quality of the end product.
Benedictine monks were the pioneers in the artificial insemination and industrial-scale breeding of fish; on the Isle of White monks introduced an immense technological advance in treating wool cloth (fullering) by using water-powered mills to do the work previously done by literally "treading" the cloth - this technology appeared in the 12th century and quickly spread around all of England.
Monasteries provided free accommodation for travellers in their hospitals (guest-houses), while monastic infirmaries provided rudimentary medical care for the local population. All monasteries also gave alms to the poor, in the shape of excess food and old clothing.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
In the Middle Ages what was the Leader of a Monastery?
An abbot is the leader of a Monastery. IF the leader was a woman, she was called the abbess.
Where did a monk in Middle Ages live?
In a monastery. They could not leave the monastery besides the exception of the fryer.
Which activity was most important in the middle ages?
Sex, murder, and farming are all equally important in the middle ages
In the middle ages most important musicians were?
The most important musicians during the Middle Ages were priests and those who worked for the church.
What is another name for the middle ages because religion was so important to the people?
The Middle Ages were also called the Age of Faith.
What is a leader of a monastery in the middle ages?
The leader of a monastery in the Middle Ages was an Abbot.
Where did a monk in Middle Ages live?
In a monastery. They could not leave the monastery besides the exception of the fryer.
In the Middle Ages what was the Leader of a Monastery?
An abbot is the leader of a Monastery. IF the leader was a woman, she was called the abbess.
Where did monks and nuns live in the Middle Ages?
In an nunnery. Monks lived in Monerstrys.
When were castles important?
castles were important in the middle ages mainly in 1066 and onwards
Why was armor important for the Middle Ages?
itw as important because in the middle ages there was lots of war and violence
When did monastery monks educate the middle ages?
That question makes no sense - please rephrase it to make clear what you mean.
Which activity was most important in the middle ages?
Sex, murder, and farming are all equally important in the middle ages
In the middle ages most important musicians were?
The most important musicians during the Middle Ages were priests and those who worked for the church.
Why was religion important during the middle ages?
Because religion was so important during the Middle Ages, most people owned Bibles.
Is trading important in the middle ages?
yes
What is a seneschal?
an officer in the house of important nobles in the middle ages in the french administration system was a officer in the house of important nobles in the french administration of the middle ages
