monastic life, medieval

In the Middle Ages, the monastic life attracted many men and women, who took vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity and entered monasteries or convents. The Rule of St Benedict, founder of Christian monasticism in the West and of the Benedictine order, laid down the timetable for the day. Monks and nuns followed the threefold rule, dividing their day equally between prayer, manual work, and study. Although details differed according to the monastic order and the season, the day generally included eight services of worship, times for study and for work, and a daily meeting in the chapter house, where a chapter of the Rule was read and monks who had broken the Rule were punished.

The Rule of St Benedict also laid down how the monastery should be administered. The monastery was controlled by an elected abbot, who then appointed his officials - including prior, steward, novice master, sacristan, hosteller, almoner, infirmarian, chamberlain, precentor, cellarer, kitchener, and refectarian.

The monasteries were essential to medieval life, providing such services as copying books, caring for the sick, helping the poor, educating local children, and giving shelter to travellers. They also owned a great deal of land, producing, in particular, large amounts of wool.

The buildings of the monastery and the different orders of monks are described under monastery.