how did monks support themselves in the middle ages?

Question

They lived in monasteries and had all their food, clothing and shelter taken care of. but who??? who financed all this? there was no welfare program in those days.

Answer 1

Interesting question ... I just hope you're willing to continue to search for the truth and accept the answers you find

For the most, missionaries, monks and priests provided for themselves with farming etc and were dependant on charity from their followers in their faith and churches, just as Jesus and his followers once were. Some churches were financed and built in much the same way and others were also financed by the hierarchy of the church (i.e. The Vatican).

(Above is the short answer to your question & below is the long answer but is still relevant for you to understand "who financed this")

However, in the past some churches took a more political, proactive & yet discreet approach which allowed them to gain a bulk of their wealth which went to aquire land and buildings or to finance

I.e. The Knights Templars (vigilantes for the church?) - if you didnt believe in Christianity or were shown that you were evil (not practising christianity) then you were killed and your wealth and estates were taken (discreetly assimilated by the church) (see link)

(There were other ways wealth was amassed and this link may anwer more for you - Good Luck in your search ;)

Answer 2

By praying.
They were praying all day long and even all night, so God provided them with everything. They didn’t need much!

No joke now: Most monasteries were self-supporting, the monks and especially the lay brothers worked on their lands as farmers. They also had all kinds of specialists, blacksmiths etc.
Some monasteries developed their own speciality like wine or beer and sold it for money (not for charity).
Finally they owned land, often rich people brought along all their wealth when they entered a monastery, or a rich family paid well to get rid of an unwanted member.
The richer ones lived from the profits of their land, the farmers had to pay in goods etc. Some monasteries were VERY rich, which led to several reforms in the church or at least in the orders.
ETC

Answer 3

The monasteries were mainly self supporting. Certainly, in England, the richest became thus as they were into sheep breeding and wool was an important trade commodity. They grew most of their own food and raised things like fish in fish ponds, traces of which can be found around monasteries, and bred rabbits in warrens. Many monasteries were initially founded by rich barons etc., who would have left money for upkeep. They would also be given alms. There certainly wasn't a state sponsored welfare programme, but what welfare there was was, in fact, made available by the monasteries. They would provide food to travelers and to the destitute and often provided the only schools and hospitals.

Answer 4

http://www.benedictine.fr/anglais/histoire_frame.html <<< hope this may give you an idea

The fabulous history of Benedictine began during the Renaissance when a Venetian monk at the Abbey of Fécamp , Dom Bernardo Vincelli, crea-ted an elixir from 27 plants & spices from the 4 corners of the globe. This elixir was highly regarded in the court of King François I, and the drink, which by now has become famous, was produced by the Benedictine monks up until the end of the 18th century.

Answer 5

Monks had several sources of income.

Obviously donations - not all monks lived in monestaries. Some traveled, carrying nothing but their clothing and a begging/eating bowl.

Those in monestaries also received donations.
Some financial support also came from the church.
They also grew some foods.
And were supported for their book copying.

Possibly most importantly income wise...
Monestaries grew grapes and made and sold wine as well as grew barley et al and brewed beer for sale.

Some of the truly great beers derived from the work of monks in finding various brewing techniques for beer - resulting in our modern ales, lagers, stouts, etc.

-dh

Answer 6

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Answer 7

The church requires and did require in the middle ages that any member of the church give 10% of their income as a religious tax. The church has become very rich as a result of this.

Answer 8

They probably supported themselves the same way it's done today, with collections from the church-goers. It's also entirely possible to support oneself without any money whatsoever.

Answer 9

monks were some of the only people who could read and write for the time period. they copied books. we're talking hand written. not typed. then they sold them

Answer 10

They looted farms and sold indulgences