Monasticism and the Code of Chivalry
In the Middle Ages, there were many factors contributing to the building
of monasticism. One of the most important components of the fourth century came
when the Christians believed that Jesus would return very soon. So they did not
care what the world did to itself. Instead they waited for Jesus to fix things,
but it did not happen. This caused the world to become a violent place to live.
Christians were persecuted for their beliefs by the Roman Government. The
Christians had enough and were ready to leave. Some Christians went to a place
where they could have communion in peace without the fear of the Roman
government, this place was Egypt. They were called hermit monks. But others,
Christians, had their ideas of the way that a Christian life should be lived.
They wanted to live in a community, so they could worship together as a group
instead of being alone.
Benedict of Nursia established a rule that was used by most of the monks
as a way of life. In this there were three specific vows, they are used to make
it easier for monks to be closer to God. They are poverty, chastity, and
obedience.
Poverty meant that the need for money and material possessions were not
needed as a means of worship. The monasteries gave the monks the things that
they needed, and this was only the bare essentials. The monasteries made their
own money by owning land and selling surplus products. Thus, they became very
wealthy.
Chastity meant that the men and women would not have sex or get married.
This was said to have saved the monks f ...