A Medieval Knight's Dream T0 serve or not to serve, that is the quest

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Medieval Monks

Becoming A Monk

To become a monk you had to first become an oblate (unless you were old enough to become a novice). to become an oblate, you had to be given to the monastery by your father. Then, if you were old enough, you could take your first vows and become a novice. Then , after several years, if the abbot(head of the monastety) agrees, you can take your final vows and become a monk.

Life In The Monastery

Life in the monastery was very strict. They followed "rules" that were timetables and rules. The monks had to give everything but a begging bowl away. It was a very busy place. They had lay brothers and servants to do heavy work for them because they spent most of the time in prayer.

In The Dining Room

The monks did not talk in the dining room. instead, they made signals to each other. They were allowed only one meal a day in the wintertime and two in the summertime. There were two separate dining rooms. the monks did not eat meat except if they were ill and on certain days.

In The Chapter House

The chapter house is where monks can ask each other's pardon for anything they have done wrong. They can also accuse each other of bad behavior if they have good cause. It is called the chapter house because a chapter from the rule that the monastery follows is read before they begin.

In The Scriptorium

The scriptorium was where books and manuscripts were written and illustrated. The monks would decorate them with beautiful paints and gold leaf. The monks that decorated them were called illuminators. You had to be very skilled to be an illuminator. The books were written on parchment that was made out of the skin of young animals.