Discuss the formation and consequences of the new monastic orders which arose in the Middle Ages.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. There were a number of new orders formed in the Early and High Middle Ages that aimed at reforming the approach of monasticism and trying to return to the original intent. The Cistercians, for example, renewed austerity among their ranks to conform to the Benedictine rules, which had fallen out of use. The Franciscans were established with the goal of aiding the poor and preaching, rather than remaining isolated in a monastery. These new orders viewed materialism as incompatible with the teachings of Christ and focused on maintaining the vows of poverty, rather than living lavishly as they saw in some more established orders. For women, the Poor Clares were founded with a focus on poverty; however, they remained isolated rather than doing active preaching. Finally, the Dominicans were a Spanish group of friars devoted to preaching and rooting out heresy; their emphasis on education made them efficient interrogators of heretics and would ultimately lead to their participation in the Inquisition.