What is a almoners in the middle ages?

Answer 1

Oh honey, almoners in the Middle Ages were basically the original charity workers. They were responsible for distributing alms to the poor and needy. Think of them as the OG Robin Hoods, but with less green tights and more serious faces.

Answer 2

An almoner (Anglo-Norman French almonir) was a Church official responsible for giving alms to the poor; alms could be in the form of food, clothing or money. Such charity was considered to be a virtuous act.

Monasteries often appointed a brother monk to be almoner and he would distribute any leftover food from the monastery kitchen to the poor people of the area - monks were advised not to wipe their knives on the bread after meals in order to keep the excess bread clean.

Bishops and archbishops might have their own permanent almoner and even some kings had one.

Answer 3

Some monasteries appointed one of the brother monks to be almoner, which was classed as an "obedientary" or minor official. The almoner was responsible for giving alms or charitable donations to the poor people living nearby; this could be in the form of surplus food from the monastery tables, or old clothing, shoes, or other useful items. Bread was one of the major surplus foods regularly donated to the poor.

In monasteries where no almoner was appointed, the porter (door keeper) took on these duties as well as ensuring that visitors and guests were welcomed and directed to the correct part of the monastic precinct.