What was the role of monks in middle ages?

Answer 1

Monks did several jobs. They sometimes acted as doctors for local people and they provided a place to stay overnight for travelers. Many spent their lives copying books or writing religious books since they were one of the few that could read and write. They also took in male children that had been orphaned or abandoned by parents. These children, in turn, would become monks. They conducted religious services.

Answer 2

• provide medical services when needed
• religious services
• provide a stopping point for travelers
• copy and write books
• took in children who had been left at their gates

Answer 3

Monks in the Middle Ages often lived in monasteries and renounced all worldly goods. They were known to follow strict routines and attended services several times each day. They wore simple clothing and ate foods prepared by other monks.

Answer 4

Monks were male monastics; the women could be nuns, and the rules were very similar. Almost any Christian could become a monastic in the Middle Ages, though there was some variation in the rules from one order to another. There were a few orders that had strict requirements, such as the Knights Templar, who required their members to be noblemen. But most orders accepted anyone who felt called. In fact, there were a number of people who sought refuge from civil authorities in sanctuary of monasteries, and later joined the orders.

Answer 5

The Regula Sancti Benedicti (Rule of St Benedict), which governed the lives of all monks in Western Europe states in chapter 57:

"If there be skilled workmen in the monastery let them work at their art in all humility, if the Abbot gives his permission. But if any one of them should grow proud by reason of his art, in that he seems to confer a benefit upon the monastery, let him be removed from his work and not return to it unless (after he has humbled himself) the Abbot again orders him to do so. But if any of the work of the artists is to be sold, let them see to it that they do not practice any fraud on the monastery. . . but let it always be given a little cheaper than it can be given by seculars."

This passage acknowledges that in many monasteries there would be no skilled artists who could produce quality work; only where such men were found would they be permitted to make anything to be sold, and then only at discount rates.

Such items might include painted icons such as the "Little Mary" mentioned by Alexander Neckham in the 12th century; possibly furniture and carved chests (coffers); books were not at first intended for use outside monasteries, although a valuable book might be given as a gift, such as the St Albans Psalter that was presented to Christina of Markyate.

There is actually very little evidence for western European monks making such items in monasteries, but this is entirely understandable in light of the Rule's insistence that monks most not be proud of their work, but should in all things be humble and selfless.

One instance where we can be certain that something was made by a monk, but not sold, was at Malmesbury Abbey in pre-Conquest England when the Saxon Benedictine monk Eilmer made a set of wings to allow him to glide like a bird. He crashed and broke both legs.