Picture this: It’s 1348. You’re a peasant, facing a life of hardship. Is becoming a monk tempting? There’s more to it than just the haircut! Let’s explore some fascinating facts about life as a medieval monk.
10 The Silly Haircut
The bowl cut with a bald patch? That’s a tonsure! This unique style held spiritual significance, representing a monk’s devotion to Christ.
Some believe the remaining hair symbolized Jesus’ crown of thorns. Others think it differentiated Christians from Muslims during the Crusades. Though worn for centuries, the tonsuring ceremony was abolished in 1973. [1]
9 Home Sweet Home
Monks lived better than peasants. While their rooms were simple cells, they had guaranteed shelter and food, unlike many others.
Monasteries were often grand complexes, showcasing the Church’s wealth. In England, monasteries dating back to AD 406 were ended abruptly in the 1530s by King Henry VIII, who seized their wealth after breaking with the Pope. [2]
8 Poverty, Chastity & Obedience
Monks took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, living apart from society. They focused on spiritual, not physical, pleasures.
Based on St. Benedict’s rules, these vows aimed for a life free of earthly possessions and emotional attachments. Of course, some monks found ways around the chastity vow! [3]
7 The Icon
Monasteries often possessed an icon or holy relic, like a piece of the True Cross or a saint’s bones. Turin, Italy, even claimed Jesus’ burial shroud.
A famous relic could attract pilgrims from afar, boosting the local economy and church donations. [4]
6 Shhhhhh!
Monasteries were peaceful places, and monks often performed duties in silence. Even chatting at dinner was forbidden!
To communicate, monks used sign language during meals. Some even communicated by whistling in secret! These silent languages were passed down through generations of novices and oblates. [5]
5 Stand, Sit, Kneel… and Repeat
Life as a monk could be tedious. But lengthy church services broke up the monotony of silence and charitable acts.
Monks attended eight services daily, waking with the sun. Between Matins, Lauds, Mass, and daily Chapters, they could spend up to 10 hours a day chanting! [6]
4 More Than Meat-Free Fridays
Medieval life was heavily regulated, including food. Monks generally ate well, but they had to observe fasting days, abstaining from meat and dairy.
During fasting, fish and vegetables were allowed. Some monks cleverly re-categorized certain meats as fish, like beaver tails and rabbit fetuses! In France, some even ate puffins. [7]
3 The Arts
Monasteries were vital centers of learning. Monks preserved, copied, and wrote books, saving classics by Cicero, Aristotle, and Virgil.
Literate and free from constant hunger, monks created great art, like illuminated manuscripts and choral music. Monasteries often housed the only books, making them targets during Viking raids. [8]
2 Jobs
Besides church services and learning, monks had specific responsibilities. The abbot was the monastery’s leader, dealing with the outside world.
The prior managed the monks, while the steward oversaw finances, and the cellarer managed food. The almoner cared for the poor, and the cantor ran the choir. The sacrist ensured smooth church services. [9]
1 Stylish Attire
Monks didn’t just wear brown robes. Colors varied by order. Benedictines wore black, becoming known as “the black monks.”
Carthusians wore white, while Capuchin friars in Italy wore brown robes with pointed hoods—the inspiration for the word cappuccino! [10]
Life as a medieval monk was full of surprises. From strange haircuts to silent meals and artistic pursuits, their existence was far from simple!
What surprised you most about these facts? Leave your comments below!
