Why I'd like to Live at a Medieval Monastery
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I know, I know -- I lack a couple of the necessary qualifications (at least)
But let's set aside the fact that I'm female, not even Catholic, and it's the twenty-first century, and consider why a medieval (rather than a modern) European monastery would be an ideal location to live -- nowadays.
And with or without the monks.
You see, I'm not on the verge of making a spiritual leap; rather, I'm talking about the physical monastery buildings and the layout of a typical institution of the early Medieval Period.
Many monasteries were completly self-sufficient, or part of a larger network of Church facilities that supplied themselves and each other with everything needed for daily living.
Abbaye Saint-Philibert, Tournus
Rila
Self-contained Villages.
On the most basic level, monasteries were the repositories of learning for the reverence of the monks' god. It's no surprise that European universities grew out of the wealth of manuscripts collected by some of the wealthy orders. And since the only way to obtain a copy of any text was -- literally -- to copy the text by hand, a scriptorium would be the essential "workroom" for this endeavor.
But the monks had to eat. And drink. And wear robes. Depending on the location, monks raised sheep and sold the wool, tended vineyards for the wine, or used any suitable means they could to provide for the monastery. Some rural institutions kept chickens, cows, and farmed some land; made their own beer, shod their own horses, baked their own bread.
Local families often gave a younger son "to the Church" for his upbringing and education -- deeding a farm or other landholding to the monastery inquestion to pay for his food and lessons. Such boys, unable to inherit from their fathers, either joined the Church when old enough or used their valuable reading and writing skills to be a secretary or study the Law. But the monastery got to keep the farm.
St. Gall
Adaptation to 21st Century Life
Ok, so I lied. I wouldn't want to live in a medieval building of any kind that did not have indoor plumbing. Or a washing machine. Or internet access. But picture the scene, and see what you think of this:
A small enclave, living quarters at one corner of the corral: either a large building housing everyone, or several smaller buildings, depending on the composition of the group. (Not a cult or religious group; we'll get to the people themselves in a moment.) Buildings to house workrooms suitable for the specific group (carpenter's shop, stables, dairy shed, bakery, library, whatever).
You're going to say "wait a minute -- this is a commune." Well, no. What I have in mind is on a much smaller scale, probably just an extended family group. But remember that our insistence on the nuclear family is a very recent addition to the habits of humankind; while privacy seekers (such as myself) might initially balk at the notion of other people being around, the construction of the site could well provide for such preferences. I could install my camper in the corner of the yard, and maintain my tranquility.
Off the grid
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Going Green
With more and more opportunities becoming available to develop sustainable energy without pollution, it should be easy to produce enough wind and solar power to make all activities -- from baking bread to recharging the iPod -- possible. If the site is too far from any county water mains, a well could be dug. Disposing of waste could be handled by septic tank and drainage field outside the enclosure. Add a vegetable garden and a goat, and hey, presto: life without Wal-Mart.
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Other People To Do The Work?
Of course, my day-dream here involves a lot of heavy lifting. I'm a lazy slob; but I do know that if my being fed depended on it, I would work enough hours to contribute my share. Just.
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Actually, the monks were the original source of what is now considered the best beers - Belgian Abbey Ales. During Lent, many of the monks forswore baked goods and the ale provided the carbs they needed.
I could see doing a modern adaptation of the monastery layout for self-sufficient living. There are a number of advantages to it, but I also would want to add the power generation capabilities to reduce the daily manual labor required. I hate unnecessary manual labor.
Thanks for reading, guys. Ron -- unnecessary manual labor is bad for the soul, innit?
I wanna be part of the extended family...as long as Uncle Charles isn't leading. ;)
Awesome hub, as always...
Ixxy: you can be our IT guy.
Half way though I panicked - I thought you were planning to join a retirement community (gawd knows why I read that into it ..) but as I'm a bit older than you I took it personally ....
.... however, communal living as long as I'm left alone unless I seek out company would be great.
We'd have the internet of course ????
Phew !
It sounds like you would be ready for the next civilization ending desaster.
I like your daydream. Where I live, we used to drive by an old monestary on our way to my Aunt and Uncle's house on weekends. It was so beautiful it mesmerized me. I'd fantasize time and time again about living there and when I found out you'd have to be a monk, I'd imagine ways I could disguise myself just so's I could get a peak inside. I haven't been by there in years. Thinkin' I might ought to.
Wonderful hub. I love those places, so full of atmosphere...
This is interesting. I've never thought of living in a medieval monastery. If you do get the chance to live there, can I visit you? That would be fun! :-)
If I were to live at a medieval monastery I'd make sure I live among monks! Imagine the intriques and the mystery Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose comes to mind. I'm in! :D
I think I'd be spooked too many ghosts there
I want a room near Cindy... so I can go "oooOOOOoooo" in the vent!
Teresa, I agree maintaining "tranquility" while being in an extended family setting in a sustainable environment like the "monks" - great idea! Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Kathy
It is settled we will all move in there together I am busy packing. How is the belly dancing going Teresa LMAO everyone loved that comment.
Sounds like great fun. And you and your cohorts could reinvent absynthe and some great cheeses as well. Just a friend in passing here. They did discover hops didn't they?
Once looked into an old monastery that was for sale in Italy at a quite reasonsable price, included all the books in the library dating back centuries. Couldn't convince the WV hillbilly I married that he'd be happy restoring vineyards. Lovely daydream!
We may be headed in just this direction as transportation costs continue to increase. I love architecture from the middle ages anyway, and one would think these well-built buildings could be modernized without losing their charm? Very interesting article, thanks
What a wonderful thought, a safe haven for writers and artists? Hmm... I wish I knew something that had tons and tons of money to start one of these. Thanks, great hub.
My room should have a small balcony, do they come with balconys? I have my favorite books packed and all but my toothbrush..I'm ready to come/go!
OK -- looks like all we need is a location. . .
Well it can't be where I live, solar panels and such do not get the okay because, and this is a direct quote from the city, "we don't know enough about these things to pass them in inspections." Can you believe it? Shall I fart now or later?
Great idea, must be somewhere not too cold though
my vote for a monastery is Mont Saint-Michael off the coast of Cornwall. gorgeous architecture. the ocean never ceases to inspire me. i've always wanted to go see it. that's my two cents.
I shall include my 2 cents with woman's 2 cents and we almost have a down payment, on a slice of bread.
Where I grew up there was a nearby monastery where we would occasionally attend Mass. We could get in and out in a shorter time because there were no sermons. Also...........they made the BEST CHEESES! It was one of their main sources of income.
I volunteer for the manual labor. Going out into those neat little rows of whatever they grow to make the booze and wearing comfty homespun tunics, home made bread, living in a place that looks like a painting...sounds good. Count me in.
wonderful hub! I wonder how you'd have liked the getting up several times a night to pray in a freezing cold church, though?
How are you on poverty, chastity, and obedience?
Do you know how windy and cold those places can be? Out of interest, we took our family to a very isolated, no internet, no heating, dwelling in the mountains for a couple of weeks 'alternative style vacation' and the kids hated it for the first week and a half. We thought we'd help them 'get back to nature', lol. By the time they finally came round it was time to pack up and go home. Never again!
Living in the Medieval Era would be great actually. Innocence, purity and many other things existed at that time...
Any of the great medieval abbeys in England would do.
We'll become famous for our Cheeses of Nazareth, each have our own cell (or camper) so that we introvert types aren't driven into nearby caves by the inclusion of extrovert spouses or children, get Robert Sloan to teach us how to illuminate manuscripts, learn Gregorian chants, write by moonlight or candlelight, and drink very good beer with our very good bread.
If my Cairn terrier and factory kitty can come, I'll be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail, Teresa.
Well, if we can do without the obedience clause, I'm well on the way to being a medieval nun -- the poverty and chastity have been imposed for some time, now. (Not necessarily by choice. . .)
So looks as if we have quite a crew for our adventure in medieval living. All animals welcome. (Frieda, you are hilarious!)
A huge article, Teresa! Thanks. I love the pictures you included. The one thing I consider monks a good thing is the same as what you pointed out - they collect and preserve (hopefully not distort) knowledge. However, recent trends are a bit disheartening. Here in Hungary, there is an order (of I don't know what sort) called Pannonhalma monks who also produce wine. Now, their wine is very very expensive. It's not the cost of the growing or the quality of the wine. It's the BRAND. Sorry for holding you up. :)
Hey, Haunty: it's the same everywhere, when it comes to brand names -- poverty does not necessarily belong to the church-machine itself, just its workers. . .
Sign me up! My family and I will move right in! Can we make wine? Great hub!
Very entertaining hub. I actually did live in a medieval monastery. Not through time travel; it was just built 800 years ago. Of course, my monastery was full of monks and they told me what to do a lot. Also, 800 year-old buildings get very cold. I like your plan better.
The novelty of living in an actual medieval monastery never wears off, incidentally.
That is awesome
mdawson17 says:
6 months ago
Very Nice hub and the pictures were cool! I liked the fact that the pictures provided the evidence of your hub! Also I did not know that monks sold beer that was just amazing to me!
mdawson17