One of the monk's cells at Mount Grace priory has been rebuilt and furnished as it would have been when the monastery was in use in the 1400s. Carthusian monks lived as hermits, spending most of each day alone in their cells, in prayer, worship and work. Though their cells were simple they were not, apparently, spartan. They were actually quite spacious houses, with a sitting room, bedroom, latrine and a sanctuary used for prayer and writing. They had a piped water supply. Upstairs was a workroom. Some of the monks were weavers, others copied and illuminated manuscripts and some were bookbinders. Each cell had its own walled garden with a covered walkway, where the monk could walk and pray. Here, they grew herbs and plants but its main purpose was the spiritual and physical wellbeing of the monks, since meals and other necessities were delivered to them through a hatch in the wall. I have to say I found it fascinating to learn about. The way historical places are set out and explained these days is often really good.
One can understand why the peasants of the day would have been jealous of such luxury; I've lived in worse accommodation than that myself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine little space they had to themselves.
ReplyDeleteThese are quarters that would certainly please many who dedicated their lives to prayer and serving their God.
ReplyDeleteA serene kind of space.
ReplyDeleteI love learning about things like this, I would love to see them re-enact their life there.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny - thanks for this ... I've just given a talk on the Dissolution of the Monasteries ... so much to tell - but no chance to discuss their way of life .. fascinating to read - cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete