Patricia Dove
June 28, 2010
Hist. 220/ Rel. 390
Wiki Page-Article Analysis #2-Monastic Hospitality: The Benedictines in England c.1070-1250.
The Impulse Underlying Monastic Hospitality.
Focus: Hospitality was an integral part of medieval monastic life. In receiving guests the
monks were following Christ's injunction and adhering to the Rule of St Benedict, as well as
taking on an important role within society and providing a valuable service for fellow
religious. This article examines the spiritual and worldly concerns compelling monasteries to
exercise hospitality.
Two Major Impulses
Monastic Customaries
Grading of Guest
Importance of Monastic
Hospitality and Social
Change
Spiritual Concerns of Monastic
Hospitality
Kerr is concerned about
Salvation. Christ strongly expects
the hungry to be received and
feed because of Matthew
25:40:”what ever you did for the
least of them my brother, you
did unto me, and because of
Hebrew 13;2 “not to for get
entertaining stranger..unaware.”
Worldly Concerns of Monastic
Hospitality
Worldly rewards could build
up the reputation of the house
and the abbot; grateful guess
might give gifts, concessions,
or other forms of material
support.
Guest where shown the honor
due to them. Poor and pilgrims
at the lower end of the scale and
churchmen and religious were
placed next. Distinguished quest
were placed in a private
chamber. Assessments of rank
were always made (336).
Less noticeable visitors were
housed in a public hall.
Distinguished guest were
placed in a private chamber.
Some Abbots only received the
rich.
Hospitality and almsgiving were
an essential obligation placed by
Christ on the faithful and
enshrined of the bible. Great
care and concern shown in
receiving the poor because in
them …Christ is received (151).
Many more travelers resulted
in Monasticism’s rapid
development, involved more
complex domestic ( social
change ) arrangements given
by a rapidly devolving
monastic hierarchy (336)
Implications: Hospitality was an important part of this period of time during the medieval
monastic life because it showed Christ like gestures in receiving the guest. They followed the
Rule of St. Benedict to show great commitment and provided society with a Christ like attitude
of service and duties.