Monastic estates

Monastic estates were large landholdings owned and managed by monasteries during the medieval period. These estates provided the necessary resources—such as food, income, and labor—for monastic communities of monks or nuns. The land was often worked by villagers or serfs, who paid rent or provided services in exchange for protection and spiritual guidance from the monks. Monastic estates played a significant role in the economy, agriculture, and society of the time, often influencing local politics and culture while also contributing to the preservation of knowledge and education through the monasteries’ libraries and schools.