MEDIEVAL MONKS
By Isabel Seacy

A Medieval Monk
 Medieval Monks were similar to Early
Christian Ireland monks but also had
differences.
 They still copied manuscripts and prayed
however, they had different buildings in their
monasteries.
 These monks would have been members of
orders such as the Dominicans or the
Franciscans. Some of these orders still exist
today.

Becoming a monk
When a boy joined a monastery he was called
a novice.
If the Abbot thought he would be a good monk
he would let him take solemn vows....
These were promises of:
Poverty- he must not own anything
Chastity- he must not marry
Obedience- he must do what the Abbot told
him
His hair was also cut in a tonsure. This was a
bald patch in the middle of his head.

A monk’s tonsure

A monk’s clothing
The colour of their clothes varied according to
their order.....
 A tunic, tied around the waist with a cloth or
leather belt.
 Over the tunic was a scapula. This was a long
wide piece of woollen cloth worn over the
shoulders.
 A cowl (a hood) was attached to the scapula.
 Monks would also wear a chain with a cross
around their necks.

A monk’s clothes

Pyramid of Power
Pope
Bishop
Arch bishop
Arch deacon
Abbot
Prior
Dean
Monks

A Medieval Monastery
 The first type of monastery was established
by St. Benedict in 529 AD.
 Different orders of monks and nuns were
also established during this time such as the
Benedictines, Augustinians and Poor Clares.
 The monks lived in monasteries whereas the
nuns lived in convents.

Uses of a monastery
 A medieval monastery made many works of
charity by feeding the hungry and healing
the sick who were brought to them.
 A monastery provided education for boys
who wanted to become priests.
 A monastery copied manuscripts preserved
valuable books.
 It also kept records of anything eventful that
had happened in the past.

Monastery layout
There are many parts to a monastery such as:
 Church – where the monks prayed every day
 Chapter House – where they met to discuss
business or to elect a new Abbot
 Library – where monks studied
or copied manuscript.

Monastery layout 2
Cloisters – where monks walked and
prayed.
Guest house – where monks gave food
to poor people.
Infirmary – where the sick were
nursed.
Refectory – where the monks ate their
meals.
Dormitory – where the monks slept.

A Medieval monastery

A monks daily life
3am Day begins. The monks get out of bed to sing matins in the church
(morning prayers)
4-6am Return to bed for brief sleep
6am Silent prayer
7am Breakfast, eaten in silence like any other meal
8-9am Work in the fields or in the library
10am High mass in the church
11-2pm Work again
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

A Monk’s work
Each monk had his own special job:
The Abbot was the head of the monastery
& was elected by the monks
When he was away on business his place
was taken by the Prior
The Almoner looked after the people who
came to the monastery
The Infirmarian looked after the sick
The Librarian looked after the library.