Year 9
Unit 5 - The Early Middle Ages
Lesson 3 - Why did Christianity spread in the early Middle Ages?
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The importance of monasteries
One of the reasons why Christianity spread so effectively during the early Middle Ages was because of important role of monasteries and the monks who lived in them. As you can see in the map opposite, Christianity spread to major settlements through the building of the churches we saw last time, but Europeans lived in the countryside and this is where monasteries became important. But what were these monasteries that were full of monks? Monks Being a monk was not something Christians invented. A tradition had long existed of men deciding to live alone so as better to worship their god without distractions. The word monasticism is from the ancient Greek and it means to live alone. |
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The earliest monks believed it did them good to suffer. They cut out ‘luxuries’ like soft beds and comfortable clothes. They fasted (went without food) for long periods and spent night after night praying instead of sleeping. Some went to extremes, whipping themselves or rolling naked among thorns. Why do you think they did this?
On of the earlier Christian monks St Simeon Stylites worshipped God from a platform on top of a tall pillar. There was no room to lie down and no protection from the blazing sun. To get food and drink Simeon lowered a basket on the end of a rope. Yet he stayed up there for thirty-three years. St Daniel, one of his followers, later beat his ‘record’ by three months. |
St Benedict
Benedict was a deeply religious young man. He was shocked by the lawless and sinful behaviour of many Romans. So he gave up his studies, left the city and travelled eastwards to the hills. There, on the mountain of Subiaco, he found a cave and lived alone as a hermit. To Benedict it seemed the best way of getting closer to God and living a truly Christian life.
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Before long, religious men in Rome heard about the monk in the hills and went to visit him. Some asked if they could stay. So Benedict organised a community of monks who all agreed to give up worldly pleasures and pray to God.
After some years Benedict left Subiaco with a small band of his closest followers. They travelled south, to the top of a hill overlooking the village of Monte Cassino, and there, about the year 525, Benedict founded his first and most famous monastery. He lived at Monte Cassino until his death in 543. Some of the time he spent writing a Rule for monks to live by. This ‘Benedictine Rule’, which is in fact a large number of rules, is still practised today by monks in many countries. (opposite, Monte Cassino today) |
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The Benedictine ‘Rule’
St Benedict’s idea of a monastery was a place where ordinary men would want to come and lead a Christian life, praying and working together. He ordered that the monks’ clothes, although plain, should be warm and comfortable. They were to have a good eight hours of sleep, and two daily meals of simple but nourishing food. Nevertheless it was far from an easy life in a Benedictine monastery. The abbot, elected by the monks, or brothers, to rule the community, had to be obeyed at all times, without the slightest question or delay. Through regular obedience, a monk would always be humble and never get a high opinion of himself. |
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No personal belongings were allowed. Even a monk’s clothes were the property of the monastery. A monk could not receive a letter from his parents without the abbot’s agreement. On top of this there were strict rules about silence. The monks were rarely allowed to speak to each other. And, of course, all relationships with women were forbidden. Only a truly devoted Christian would be able to keep such difficult rules. So Benedict ordered that each newcomer, or novice, would have a year ‘on probation’ before having to make his solemn promises of obedience to the Rule. But once he had promised, he was expected to belong to the monastery all his life. He could not step outside the walls without the abbot’s permission. Idleness is the enemy of the soul. So every day, except Sunday, about seven hours were spent doing ordinary work such as farming, cooking, cleaning, caring for the sick, writing and copying books, or teaching boys and younger monks.
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In the early Middle Ages, boys were sometimes given to monasteries at a young age, as a gesture of a family's faith. Trainee monks were called novices. They would help the other monks, sing in choir and study, being taught to read and write by older monks. They would be supervised by the Master of the Novices for at least a year. The master had to check that the novices were suitable for monastic life. Taking their vows would mean that they pledged themselves to a life of poverty, obedience and humility, including chastity and a commitment to monastic life. They could not leave the monastery without the permission of the Abbott. When they took their vows, monks would be given a tonsure - their hair would be cut and shaved leaving only a circle, to represent Christ's crown of thorns.
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An extract from St Benedict’s Rule.
We are about to start a school for the service of God in which we hope nothing harsh or burdensome will be demanded. . . . Prompt obedience is required of all monks. They live not as they themselves would choose, but . . . agree to be ruled by the abbot. . . . If it be possible let them all sleep in a common dormitory. . . .
The younger brothers are not to have their beds next to each other, but amongst those of the elders. When they rise for the service of God let them gently encourage one another, because of the excuses made by those who are drowsy. . . . No one, without the abbot’s permission, shall give, receive or keep as his own anything whatever: neither book nor writing-tablet nor pen. . . . Monks shall practise silence at all times, but especially at night-time.
So, on coming out from Compline (the last service of the day), no one shall be allowed to speak at all. . . . Monks must not grumble about the colour or rough material of their clothes. ... A mattress, blanket, coverlet and pillow are enough for bedding. The beds shall be frequently searched by the abbot to guard against the vice of hoarding. ... A monastery ought to be so arranged that everything necessary - that is, water, a mill, a garden, a bakery - may be made use of ... so that there shall be no need for the monks to wander about outside. For this is not at all good for their souls.
Image - St Benedict hands his Rule to St Maurus (British Library)
The importance of Gregory
In Benedict’s lifetime the Rule was only followed in monasteries he set up himself. It later became famous mainly through the efforts of a pope - Gregory I, called ‘the Great’. Like Benedict, Gregory was born into a wealthy family, about the year 540. His father had a large house in Rome and could afford to give his son a good education. Gregory soon showed outstanding ability. He was only in his early thirties when he was chosen Prefect of Rome, the highest position in the government of the city. After only a year as Prefect, Gregory decided to give up his position and devote his life to serving God. His father had just died, leaving a large fortune. Gregory gave some to charity and used the rest to set up six monasteries in Sicily. His own house in Rome was turned into a seventh, and there Gregory became a monk.
The most important part of Gregory’s life began in 590, a year of floods and plague, when he was chosen to be Pope. By then he was in poor health. Yet right up to his death, in 604, he worked tirelessly to strengthen the organisation of the Church and to unite Christians in many lands. Gregory worked to spread the faith among 'heathens' (those who were not Christians). The barbarian king of Spain was converted by missionaries sent by Gregory, and most of the King’s subjects soon became Christians. Gregory also sent a band of monks to convert the English. The vast amount of work he got through can be seen from the hundreds of letters he wrote, which are still preserved. They were addressed not only to Church leaders and missionaries, but also to kings, queens and tribal chiefs. In a time of invasion, plague and famine, the organisation of the Roman Church might easily have collapsed, just like the Roman Empire, had it not been for Gregory’s work. He is the patron saint of musicians, singers, students, and teachers.
In Benedict’s lifetime the Rule was only followed in monasteries he set up himself. It later became famous mainly through the efforts of a pope - Gregory I, called ‘the Great’. Like Benedict, Gregory was born into a wealthy family, about the year 540. His father had a large house in Rome and could afford to give his son a good education. Gregory soon showed outstanding ability. He was only in his early thirties when he was chosen Prefect of Rome, the highest position in the government of the city. After only a year as Prefect, Gregory decided to give up his position and devote his life to serving God. His father had just died, leaving a large fortune. Gregory gave some to charity and used the rest to set up six monasteries in Sicily. His own house in Rome was turned into a seventh, and there Gregory became a monk.
The most important part of Gregory’s life began in 590, a year of floods and plague, when he was chosen to be Pope. By then he was in poor health. Yet right up to his death, in 604, he worked tirelessly to strengthen the organisation of the Church and to unite Christians in many lands. Gregory worked to spread the faith among 'heathens' (those who were not Christians). The barbarian king of Spain was converted by missionaries sent by Gregory, and most of the King’s subjects soon became Christians. Gregory also sent a band of monks to convert the English. The vast amount of work he got through can be seen from the hundreds of letters he wrote, which are still preserved. They were addressed not only to Church leaders and missionaries, but also to kings, queens and tribal chiefs. In a time of invasion, plague and famine, the organisation of the Roman Church might easily have collapsed, just like the Roman Empire, had it not been for Gregory’s work. He is the patron saint of musicians, singers, students, and teachers.
Activities
1.Carefully read the extract from St Benedict's rule.
(a) He says that nothing 'harsh or burdensome will be demanded'. Which of his rules would you find the hardest to live by, and why?
(b) How are these rules linked to the monks’ vows of (i) poverty and (ii) obedience?
(c) What is 'the vice of hoarding'? What do you think monks might have been tempted to hoard?
(d) Why was it important for the monastery to be self-sufficient - to have water, a bakery, a mill etc.?
2. Show your understanding by defining the following words: monasticism, abbot, novice and tonsure.
3. Why was Pope Gregory important to the spread of Christianity?
1.Carefully read the extract from St Benedict's rule.
(a) He says that nothing 'harsh or burdensome will be demanded'. Which of his rules would you find the hardest to live by, and why?
(b) How are these rules linked to the monks’ vows of (i) poverty and (ii) obedience?
(c) What is 'the vice of hoarding'? What do you think monks might have been tempted to hoard?
(d) Why was it important for the monastery to be self-sufficient - to have water, a bakery, a mill etc.?
2. Show your understanding by defining the following words: monasticism, abbot, novice and tonsure.
3. Why was Pope Gregory important to the spread of Christianity?