Why did monks a nuns performed many different duties in the middle ages?

Answer 1

around that time, religion was a major part of peoples lives, so becoming a monk would have been seen as bringing them closer to god, as well as being a fairly safe profession, with the guarantee of food and a roof over your head if you were willing to work the land that each monastery had.

Answer 2

The "regular" monks and nuns (meaning those living according to the Rule of St Benedict) lived lives that were intended to be self-sufficient, so producing food and drink, keeping bees for honey, breeding fish, making things to be sold, supervising farming granges and rearing sheep were among the many activities undertaken by the monasteries. Although the reality was that no monastery was ever entirely self-sufficient, the aim was to have contact with the outside world as infrequently as possible.

All of these activities (and many more) come under the heading of "manual work", which the Rule of St Benedict allocates to around one-third of each and every day. Another third was to be spent in studying religious texts or other permitted manuscripts. The final third was spent in prayer during the 8 daily and nightly services (the Opus Dei or work of God).

This regime was widespread and normal in all monastic houses, even the smallest convent of nuns. It follows that monks and nuns were obliged to perform many different duties because that was the lifestyle they vowed to follow when they became professed monks or nuns - it was the norm throughout Europe.

Answer 3

because they wanted a peaceful life and good food

Answer 4

They simply joined an Order and took their vows.