This is a detailed explanation of the lives, motivations, and societal roles of medieval anchorites—individuals who voluntarily withdrew from the world to live sealed inside small cells attached to churches.
1. Introduction: The Concept of the Anchorite
The term anchorite (male) or anchoress (female) comes from the Greek word anachōreō, meaning "to withdraw" or "to retire." In the medieval Christian tradition (roughly 11th to 16th centuries), this was considered one of the most extreme and prestigious forms of religious devotion.
Unlike monks or nuns, who lived in communities and interacted with one another, anchorites practiced a solitary life of prayer. However, unlike hermits, who often lived in the wilderness, anchorites were strictly enclosed in a cell (an anchorhold) permanently attached to a local parish church or cathedral. They were literally "anchored" to the spot, dead to the world but alive to God.
2. The Rite of Enclosure: A Living Funeral
Becoming an anchorite was not a decision made lightly. It required permission from a bishop, who would assess the candidate's financial stability (to ensure they wouldn't starve) and mental fortitude. Once approved, the entry into the cell was marked by a profound and somber ceremony known as the Rite of Enclosure.
This ceremony mirrored a funeral mass. The anchorite would: * Confess their sins and receive Last Rites. * Process into the church carrying a torch. * Sometimes lie on a bier (funeral stand) or even step into an open grave while the priest recited the Office of the Dead. * Enter the cell, after which the bishop would bless the space and seal the door. In some traditions, the door was literally bricked up or nailed shut, leaving the anchorite inside for the remainder of their natural life.
The symbolism was clear: the anchorite was now dead to the sin and distraction of the world, existing in a liminal space between Earth and Heaven.
3. The Anchorhold: Life Within the Walls
The cell, or anchorhold, was usually a small room (typically 12x12 feet) built against the chancel wall of a church. It was not a dungeon; it was often comfortable enough for survival, though austere. The architecture of the cell was designed to facilitate the anchorite's dual role.
There were typically three windows (or "squints") in the cell:
- The Altar Squint (Hagioscope): This window looked directly into the church sanctuary, allowing the anchorite to see the altar, hear the Mass, and receive communion. This was their lifeline to the divine.
- The Parlor Window: This window opened to the outside world (the street or churchyard). It was usually covered with a heavy black curtain or shutter. Through this window, the anchorite received food and water and dispensed spiritual advice to the community.
- The Service Window: A smaller opening connecting to a servant’s quarters (if wealthy enough) or a space for necessities to be passed through.
4. Daily Routine and Spiritual Discipline
The daily life of an anchorite was governed by strict rules, the most famous being the Ancrene Wisse (Guide for Anchoresses), written in the early 13th century. Their schedule revolved around:
- Prayer: Reciting the Liturgy of the Hours, praying for the souls of the dead, and interceding for the living.
- Contemplation: Meditating on the suffering of Christ.
- Asceticism: Enduring cold, hunger, and physical discomfort as a form of penance.
- Labor: While they did not work for wages, they often engaged in needlework (creating church vestments) or illuminated manuscripts to avoid the sin of idleness.
Despite their isolation, they were not entirely cut off. They often had a servant who lived nearby to cook their meals, remove waste, and handle their worldly affairs.
5. The Societal Role: The Community’s "Spiritual Battery"
While technically solitary, anchorites were deeply integrated into medieval society. They served several vital functions for the town or village:
- Intercessors: In an era where people believed hell and purgatory were tangible threats, having a "holy person" living in your church wall was like having a spiritual insurance policy. The community fed and supported the anchorite in exchange for their constant prayers for the village's protection.
- Counselors: The "parlor window" became a hub for spiritual advice. Villagers, nobles, and even kings would visit anchorholds to seek wisdom on everything from marital disputes to political decisions. Julian of Norwich, a famous anchoress, counseled the mystic Margery Kempe through her window.
- Keepers of Secrets: Because they were "dead to the world," anchorites were trusted confidants. They acted as unofficial confessors, listening to gossip and sins without judgment or fear of disclosure.
6. Famous Examples
- Julian of Norwich (c. 1343 – after 1416): Perhaps the most famous anchoress, she lived in a cell attached to St. Julian’s Church in Norwich, England. While enclosed, she wrote Revelations of Divine Love, the first book in the English language known to be written by a woman. Her theology was radically optimistic for her time, famously stating, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."
- Christine the Carpenter (14th Century): An example of the psychological strain of the vocation. Christine was enclosed in Shere, Surrey. She eventually broke out of her cell but later regretted it. She petitioned the Pope for re-entry, and her penance was to be re-enclosed in the same cell.
7. Conclusion
The life of a medieval anchorite may seem horrific to modern sensibilities—a form of voluntary imprisonment. However, to the medieval mind, it was the ultimate liberation. By restricting their physical body to a few square feet, anchorites believed they were freeing their souls to explore the infinite vastness of the divine. They were the silent, beating heart of medieval spirituality, walled in by stone but serving as the spiritual foundation of their communities.