Why did women become nuns in the Middle Ages?
2007-01-04 09:14:56 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
several reasons, they were pious and being a nun was the only way for many to learn about and be close to god, it was also a means to learn as during medieval times the church, in particular the catholic church, held most of the literary devises of the times ( books scrolls etc) many were thrust into covenants by their families cuz they could no longer afford to support them, sometimes families did it for altruistic reasons and other times cuz they simply didnt care for their children especially the females. one must recall that males were the preferred heirs as they were more help in supporting the family while women were considered a burden
2007-01-04 10:12:55 · answer #1 · answered by cav 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There were basically two reasons. One, was if you were poor then not only was piety and belief in the religion important but given the kind of life most people had, a nunnery was a very attractive proposition. For when you were a peasant girl you weren't very well off and your only prospects were either a loveless arranged marriage, a lucky loveful marriage or to be rejected by society. When you entered a nunnery you had clean clothes, health care, good food and a few luxuries. To many it was a preferable life to the farm.
Also another reason was that the clergy was respected far more than it is today. One could actually rise a bit , despite one's humble beginnings, if one joined the clergy. The clergy was of high status : some women from the upper class also joined for the reasons of piety and status. You see, in the middle ages , people took the idea of heaven very very serious. And as life on earth wasn't that hot for many people, the preperation for heaven, seemed like a good idea. Also in the Catholic Church, although the clergy took the vow of celebacy, it was and still is only the priests(and upward) who are bound permanently to the order. The others: nuns, friars, monks(who were not ordained) and laye brothers could at any time leave the order to go back to laye life. So these nuns knew that they could go back to laye life any time they wanted. And also, the clergy then was very different to what it is today. There were many so called abuses. In other words, not all kept their vows of celebacy. Many of the clergy, nuns included, enjoyed quite good lives.
So basically the reasons were:
PIETY-BELIEF IN THE RELIGOUS SYSTEM
TO ESCAPE A BAD LIFE
THE STATUS OF THE CLERGY
POSSIBILTY OF ADVANCEMENT AND BETTERMENT OF LIFE
Hope this helps.
2007-01-04 20:27:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes because they were unmarriageable. Some women became nuns because it was the only way a woman could possible expect to become educated. Still others truly felt a calling to God. There were all kinds of reasons.
2007-01-04 17:19:59 · answer #3 · answered by Morgan S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nun
Gives great info on NUNS..Basically though women entered the convent either by choice to give their life to the Lord God or by being a bit naughty and having the parents make them become nuns..glad you live in this day and age now huh?
2007-01-04 17:22:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same reasons they become nuns now...they are "called" in their eyes, to serve the religion in which they become nuns.
2007-01-04 17:28:50 · answer #5 · answered by daiseychik@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the "middle ages" there was a movement that originated in France called "Knights Templar" or otherwise known as "Poor Knights of the Temple".
This movement reigned 1100 to 1300 AD and initially consisted of 9 Noblemen whos founder was Hughes de Payens. Their stated mission was to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land
2007-01-04 17:24:16 · answer #6 · answered by Truth D 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋