Life in the Medieval Cloister
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Review
'Kerr presents a fascinating glimpse into daily life, as well as outlining some of the very real practical problems that impinged on a monk's routine, and provides insight into a way of life that flourished for centuries.'<BR> --The Good Book Guide
[Kerr's] portrayal is broad, yet intimate, and endlessly fascinating ... Best of all, the book captures the tensions inherent in the medieval monastic environment ... Kerr's book breathes new life into this difficult, far-distant historical subject. --Catholic Herald
[Kerr's] portrayal is broad, yet intimate, and endlessly fascinating ... Best of all, the book captures the tensions inherent in the medieval monastic environment ... Kerr's book breathes new life into this difficult, far-distant historical subject. --Catholic Herald
Product Description
Julie Kerr's vivid account provides insights into the thoughts and experiences of the medieval monk.This book will make an important contribution to our understanding of monastic life by exploring key aspects that have been either inadequately addressed or overlooked by historians. For example, what effect did the ascetic lifestyle have on the monks' physical health and mental well-being? How difficult was it for newcomers to adapt to the rigours of the cloister? Did the monks suffer from anxiety and boredom; what caused them concern and how did they seek comfort? What did it really mean to live the solitary life within a communal environment and how significant were issues of loneliness and isolation? Drawing on chronicles, letters, customaries and miracle stories, the experience of medieval monastic life will be presented through the monks' own words.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Visiting the ruins of Abbeys, Priories etc always raises the question of what it was actually like to live there at those times. The official guide books often do a good job at stating the headline facts i.e. the monks ate here, slept there, etc etc but don't give an idea of what it was really like. This book takes things a step further and attempts to build a picture of what it was like day-to-day in an (semi-) enclosed environment. OK, so the Rule of St Benedict is the set of guidelines but what was the reality? After all what has really changed since medieval times - not people, just the "stuff" that surrounds us, so did the monks and nuns get bored, jealous, crabbit, rather over-excited, etc and try to murder each other, go hawking, visit the pub, try to out-do each other...... of course they did!
The author appears to justify every sentence in the book with frequent references to an extensive range of contemporary documents. There is a small amount of (inevitable) repetition, but this means that it's possible to read the book out of chapter sequence if you have an interest in one particular topic and wish to look at that section first. This is probably about as far as it's possible to go without verging into fiction to fill the gaps.
This book goes into detail regarding diet, family, daily regime, medical problems (mental and physical), clothes, travel, and basically the pros and cons of monastic life at those times. Therefore, in summary, it does exactly what it sets out to do and is a very interesting read.
The author appears to justify every sentence in the book with frequent references to an extensive range of contemporary documents. There is a small amount of (inevitable) repetition, but this means that it's possible to read the book out of chapter sequence if you have an interest in one particular topic and wish to look at that section first. This is probably about as far as it's possible to go without verging into fiction to fill the gaps.
This book goes into detail regarding diet, family, daily regime, medical problems (mental and physical), clothes, travel, and basically the pros and cons of monastic life at those times. Therefore, in summary, it does exactly what it sets out to do and is a very interesting read.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Interesting, but could be so much more
3 Nov 2009
Format:Hardcover
This book was advertised in the History Book Club's brochure, but I was unable to find additional reviews or a description of the target audience before spending money on it. There was one copy available through the consortium used by my public library, which includes most large and public libraries in NJ, and I was able to borrow that copy to read (thank you, Drew University).
I expected a general history with some analysis, and while the book is simple enough for a lay audience and also a quick read, it's written in the style of a term paper or extended Wikipedia article. The text is primarily strung together from anecdotes attributed to or about various historical figures, and some anecdotes are mentioned two or even three times when the story concerns different topics. Each chapter begins and ends with a summary, with subchapters of a page or two given separate headings and sometimes quotes. The quotes are frequently restated as a prominent part of the limited discussion which follows. Many anecdotes have no conclusions, leading the reader to wonder what happened to the participants. It would have been gratifying to at least be told why the outcomes are not included, even if because they are unknown. There is no discussion of how people who were forced to live in a monastic community for some reason affected the other inhabitants. There are, however, lengthy descriptions of the lack of cleanliness, which apparently resulted at times from rules against bathing or cleaning, which were viewed as a means to vanity. That part is really gross - thank goodness smells are not yet available to accompany print.
Both miracles and visitations (by the devil, saints, or deceased) are treated as though factual, which might be just a style of writing (and the reader trusted to understand that the author is describing the participants' viewpoints) or might indicate this was written for an audience which accepts the reality of such events.
The book includes a very helpful glossary. Illustrations are limited to a few b&w medieval renderings of the cloistered life. There are no maps or diagrams of monastery layouts, which would have been welcome. All-in-all, I'm glad to read have read this, but it could have been much more than it is.
I expected a general history with some analysis, and while the book is simple enough for a lay audience and also a quick read, it's written in the style of a term paper or extended Wikipedia article. The text is primarily strung together from anecdotes attributed to or about various historical figures, and some anecdotes are mentioned two or even three times when the story concerns different topics. Each chapter begins and ends with a summary, with subchapters of a page or two given separate headings and sometimes quotes. The quotes are frequently restated as a prominent part of the limited discussion which follows. Many anecdotes have no conclusions, leading the reader to wonder what happened to the participants. It would have been gratifying to at least be told why the outcomes are not included, even if because they are unknown. There is no discussion of how people who were forced to live in a monastic community for some reason affected the other inhabitants. There are, however, lengthy descriptions of the lack of cleanliness, which apparently resulted at times from rules against bathing or cleaning, which were viewed as a means to vanity. That part is really gross - thank goodness smells are not yet available to accompany print.
Both miracles and visitations (by the devil, saints, or deceased) are treated as though factual, which might be just a style of writing (and the reader trusted to understand that the author is describing the participants' viewpoints) or might indicate this was written for an audience which accepts the reality of such events.
The book includes a very helpful glossary. Illustrations are limited to a few b&w medieval renderings of the cloistered life. There are no maps or diagrams of monastery layouts, which would have been welcome. All-in-all, I'm glad to read have read this, but it could have been much more than it is.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Lives up to its title
26 Mar 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a terrific resource for learning the details and routines of day-to-day monastic life in the Middle Ages. It goes into as much depth as would be expected in a 250-page book, and Kerr livens the presentation with revealing personal detail drawn from chronicles and records of the time. There is a useful glossary and, for anyone interested in going further, a robust bibliography and notes section. Well done.
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