Medieval Monasteries

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: 

 

 

There were three main orders of monks during the middle ages: 

 

 

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: 

 

 

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.