The Only Bastion of Civilization The Medieval Church

The Only Bastion of CivilizationThe Medieval Church

The Only Stable Institution in EuropeThe Church was the only aspect of peoples lives that remained and continuedLiteracy was kept up in the church, as many CLERGY members learned how to readClergy refers to someone that worked for the church as a priest, monk, or nun

Monks and NunsThe word monk is taken from the Greek word meaning solitary or aloneThese men dedicated their life to God and lived in secluded settlementsBelieved the world was too evil to live in as a good ChristianThey prayed and workedAnd worked and prayedAnd worked and prayedAnd then did some more praying And working

Ora et LaboraBelieved that their way of life would bring them to heavenSee the haircut to the right? Its called a tonsure. Why do you think they had this haircut?Spent countless hours reading and copying books (esp. the Bible) or doing manual laborSome of the only schools that existed were at monasteries

The Rule of Saint BenedictVow of poverty. This meant he had to give up all his worldly goods. Vow of chastity. This meant he had to stay single. Vow of obedience. This meant he had to promise to obey the church and the rules of the monastery.

Every Part of the Day was Regulated!!!!2 am!!!: religious services until dawn (by candle light), then return to bed to sleep for three hours6 am: get up, services followed until 12 noon12 noon until 5 pm: working on the farm (or in the scriptorium)5 pm until 7 pm: more services, then straight to bed

Irish MonksIreland became a safe haven for monks in the Dark AgesVenerable Bede (673 to 735)Spent entire life reading and copying manuscripts and booksMade the term anno Domini popularFirst major history of England

Venerable Bede and the work of Irish monksBooks by Irish monks were beautiful works Decorated precious stones, gold leafHand sewn bindingsWooden coversAnimal skin paper = vellumFuture generations though angels made them