Angelic monks and earthly men

the long version

"Monasticism is often seen as a central driving force of the medieval world, 'a specific spiritual ideal and aim of perfection implemented as a lifestyle', which had a considerable impact on society as a whole. This challenging book re-examines this view, looking at how monastic ideals and practices interacted with the world outside the monastery walls." "Professor Milis begins with a definition of the concepts of early medieval, Benedictine and Cistercian monasticism, essential to any discussion of the subject. He believes that, because monastic records predominate, there is a serious risk that the monks' role may be over-emphasised. From this base he sets out to examine what effect monasticism had on ordinary people. He argues that because monasticism denied the intrinsic value of earthly life, and set its sights on a transcendental afterlife, it was almost ineffective as a force for social change, and was largely conservative in character. Its lack of regard for everyday life meant that in social and economic activities monks ran their worldly affairs no differently from laymen. The main purpose of monasticism was heaven: monastic attitudes towards the world were ritualised and marginal." "Although the system of spiritual values developed within the monasteries was steadily imposed on all Christians, the monks' role was limited by increasingly strict observance of their vows, which confined them to the cloister. Further, the content of the monasteries' intellectual and artistic activities was directed at an elite, and thus influenced society only at second hand. Finally, focusing on the everyday life of the monks themselves, Ludo Milis considers how far the reality of daily life within the monastery might have diminished the impact of the monastic ideal, and how far it may have been perceived as an escape from harsh reality."--Jacket.