Hermits, Monks, & Friars
The Medieval World: Hermits, Monks, & Friars Hermits: During the Middle Ages, hermits were a group of people that withdrew from society. When people think of hermits, they may think of someone who is quiet or strange and has limited social skills. This assumption cannot be based on Medieval hermits since they did not withdraw from society for these reasons; they withdrew from society for religious reasons (5). Their religious beliefs are what made them stand out from others. They devoted their lives to praying and many people sought them out for wisdom (5). They enjoyed living in solitude and relying on nature to support their lifestyle. Hermits originated as men devoting their life to solitude but eventually gathered followers. Many hermits found their solitude in caves, forests, or mountains and practiced meditating to deepen their relationship with God (6). Although this may seem like a simple life, that was not always the case. Hermits had only nature to provide for them, whi