Medieval Monks

1. By Ryan Leahy

2. Monasteries
 Many people liked to get away from the
crowd and pray.
 They set up communities of men and
women which were called monasteries
and convents.
 The men were called monks and the
women nuns.

3. Monasteries
 They followed strict rules, which had
been made up by an Italian monk called
St. Benedict.
 They had to pray regularly, fast and
obey the abbot who was head of the
monastery (or abbey, as it was
sometimes called).

4. Monasteries
 Monasteries acted as inns and
hospitals, and poor people often went
there for help.
 Boys and sometimes girls were
educated in monasteries.

5. A medieval monastery
 The church is where the monks prayed
seven times a day.
 The dormitory is where the monks slept.
 The cloisters is where the monks walked
and prayed
 The Chapter House is where the monks
met to discuss the business of the
monastery and elect the abbot.
 The infirmary where the sick were nursed.

6. A medieval monastery
 The library is where the monks studied
or copied manuscripts.
 The quest house is where the monks
gave food to poor people and travellers.
 The refectory is where the monks ate
their meals.

7. A monastery

8. Becoming a monk
 When a boy joined a monastery he was
called a novice. He had to learn the rules
and see if the life suited him. If the abbot
thought the novice would make a monk, he
let him take solemn vows.
 These were promises of poverty (he must
not own anything), chastity (he must not
marry) and obedience (he must do what
the abbot told him).
 Then his hair was cut in a tonsure. This
was a bald patch in the middle of his head.
It showed that a man was a monk.

9. A monk

10. Daily life in a medieval
monastery
 3am: Day begins. The monks get out of
bed to sing matins (morning prayers) in the
church.
 4-6am: Return to bed for a brief sleep.
 6am: Silent prayer.
 7am: Breakfast, like all meals, was eaten in
strict silence.
 8-9.30am: Work in the fields or in the
library.
 10am: High Mass in the church.
 11am-2pm: Work again

11. Daily life in a medieval
monastery
 2pm: Dinner was the main meal of the
day.
 2.30pm: Reading.
 3-5pm: Work.
 5pm: Vespers (evening prayers).
 6pm: Supper.
 8pm: Compline (night prayer) and retire
to bed.

12. Types of monks
 The abbot was the head of the
monastery and was elected by the
monks.
 When he was away on business his
place was taken by the prior.
 The almoner looked after the travellers
who came to the monastery.
 The infirmarian looked after the sick.
 The librarian looked after the library.