Daily Life in a Medieval Monastery - (Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History) by Sherri Olson (Hardcover)

About the Book

A study of life inside medieval monasteries that explores monastic spirituality, daily routines, contact with the outside world, and the historical impact of these foundational institutions on the Western world.
How did the Western monastic tradition begin? What was monastic life typically like for a monk or nun? How was the institution of the monastery formative to Western culture from antiquity through the Middle Ages? This book covers the entire span of monastic history in the late-ancient and medieval periods and provides an in-depth look at several monasteries across Europe. Each chapter introduces the reader to the surviving evidence for the houses studied, such as its monastic rules, plans, records of visitation, chronicles, and biographical accounts; and aims to give an "insider" view--not only of monks' and nuns' daily activities, but what these dedicated individuals' values, ambitions, and aspirations might have been.

• Surveys the history of the monastery, describing its origins, purpose, geographic spread, and impact on the larger society
• Provides a glimpse of the rich and often idiosyncratic evidence that survives for medieval monasteries
• Emphasizes the pervasiveness of monasticism in medieval Europe, the versatility of the monastic tradition, and its remarkable survival
• Brings to life the interior experience of a typical monk or nun, allowing readers to understand what draws some individuals to the monastic life

Book Synopsis

A study of life inside medieval monasteries that explores monastic spirituality, daily routines, contact with the outside world, and the historical impact of these foundational institutions on the Western world.

How did the Western monastic tradition begin? What was monastic life typically like for a monk or nun? How was the institution of the monastery formative to Western culture from antiquity through the Middle Ages? This book covers the entire span of monastic history in the late-ancient and medieval periods and provides an in-depth look at several monasteries across Europe. Each chapter introduces the reader to the surviving evidence for the houses studied, such as its monastic rules, plans, records of visitation, chronicles, and biographical accounts; and aims to give an "insider" view--not only of monks' and nuns' daily activities, but what these dedicated individuals' values, ambitions, and aspirations might have been.

Review Quotes

"Shepherd, who specializes in early medieval archaeology, has made use of recent archaeological finds as well as the usual primary sources. She spends time within the narrative discussing the importance of the findings of these excavations and how the materials found--including pottery, flora and fauna, and DNA--give us a new window into life during this time. This unique feature makes the work distinctive from other reference sources about the time period . . . a useful starting point for high school and undergraduate students working on research within these two areas. Recommended for most high school, academic, and public libraries." --Booklist

"This book is highly recommended for the study of medieval monasticism." --ARBA

About the Author