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Monks lived in a monastery and devoted their lives to god. When entering a monastery, a monk took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.  
Monasteries were completely self-sufficient places and there was no need for monks to ever leave the confines of the monastery. They farmed the land, had vegetable gardens and orchards, made their own clothing and completed all their own repairs and handiwork. 
 
There were many areas in a monastery including: 
 
Church 
Dormitory (shared sleeping area) 
Refectory (dining area) 
Kitchens 
Bakery 
Laundry 
Storerooms 
Workshops 
Library 
School 
 
There were three main orders of monks during the middle ages: 
 
Benedictine 
Cistercians 
Carthusians 
 
Much time was spent in meditation, and praying to god with each day starting and ending in prayer. 
 
There were also daily tasks to undertake: 
 
Farming the land 
Cooking the food 
Making and washing clothes 
Keeping the monastery under repair 
 
As monks were able to read and write they spent time teaching local children in the school. They were also known to chronicle (factual writing) the history of the time and copy manuscripts. 
 
Monks were caring of the poor, they would feed the hungry and give food and shelter to passing strangers. 
 
Tagged as: Junior Middle Ages
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