Medieval Friars and Hermits
Life Outside the Monastic Community in the Middle Ages
Monastic communities thrived in medieval times. But a cloistered life wasn't for everyone. Some people chose to live as hermits or preachers in the community.
The medieval age in Europe saw a strong and growing interest in monastic life. Monasteries during this period had recruits from all sections of society and were supported by rich and poor alike.
But as monasticism became more established in society, there was a reaction against the type of life led by monks and an increasing desire by certain people to distance themselves from traditional monastic communities. Out of this movement came the establishment of orders of friars and also an increase in the number of hermits, people who devoted their time to living in solitude and using their time to pray to God, whilst living a life of material poverty and simplicity.
The lives led by friars and hermits represented a growing feeling during this period that monasteries were becoming increasingly wealthy and that perhaps the spirit of simplicity and poverty that had characterized the early monastic rules was beginning to disappear.
The Medieval Friar - Ministering to the Public
The orders of friars, also known as the mendicant orders because of their dependence on begging, aimed to live a life of poverty and simplicity, similar to that of Jesus’ apostles. Most orders banned ownership of property and the friars were expected to live a simple life relying on the charity of others.
The friars succeeded best in urban areas, where there were large audiences for sermons and people to attend their services. They could beg for food and clothing, but were forbidden to ask for cash and were not allowed to beg for donations whilst preaching. In an age where parish priests were often illiterate, poorly educated and gave little attention to parish sermons, the outpourings of a friar experienced in public speaking, who had traveled the country extensively, must have seemed a breath of fresh air.
The Medieval Hermit - Withdrawal From the World
Hermits sought to live completely alone, away from the influence of society, in order to live a life of poverty and devotion to prayer and fasting. But they, like everyone else, needed food and drink, clothes and a place to live. This placed them in the position of having to depend, however reluctantly, on the goodwill of others to carry out their way of life.
Hermits were often well known in their local area, and no doubt provided with gifts and help from local people, but their fame could travel surprisingly far in medieval times.
They were often accused of stirring up trouble, harbouring vagabonds and criminals and could be viewed with hostility by local people. On the other hand, they were often trusted to heal, carry out miracles and dispense wise words. Either way, life as a solitary was often impossible even for the most zealous hermit.
Decline of Monasticism and the Breakaway Movements
The Reformation marked the end of the medieval period and, in England at least, where monasteries were closed down, an end to over nine hundred years of monastic tradition in Britain. Never again would the monasteries command such support from the outside world.
The climate of suspicion and accusations of greed and luxurious living that were leveled at the monasteries also affected the mendicant orders and hermits. People began to change their focus from these groups to the parish church. Recruitment and donations to the remaining monasteries and friaries fell severely and many monks, friars and hermits gave up their religious way of life or practised it much more secretly. Friars and hermits may have wished to disassociate themselves from the monastic orders, but ultimately they met the same fate as the monks they separated themselves from.
Sources
Burton, Janet. Monastic and Religious Orders in Britain 1000-1300 [Cambridge University Press, 1994]
Lawrence, CH. Medieval Monasticism [Longman Group Ltd, 1984]
