medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture As I recall, the idea was that the monastery got at least a share of your estate. Gerald of Wales (who couldn't stand the Cistercians) accused the monks of Abbey Dore of going around with hand carts and hauling local landowners off to die in the odour of sanctity. (I'm quoting from very vague memory here but could try to find it if anyone wants a reference.) Back to the original query - I know there are some modern religious orders set up specifically to make the religious life possible for people with a range of disabilities and health problems. Was there ever anything similar in the medieval period? Maddy Dr Madeleine Gray, in the foothills of God's golden county of Gwent (Department of Humanities and Science UWCN Caerleon Campus PO Box 179 Newport NP18 3YG Tel: +44 (0)1633.432675 http://humanities.newport.ac.uk/HIST.html) ' "Education!" said Eyore bitterly. "What is Learning?" asked Eyore. "A thing Rabbit knows! Ha!" ' ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html