Roles of monasteries in the Middle Ages?

The first monasteries were established in Western Europe in the 4th century AD. in the likeness of Middle Eastern monastic organizations.

By the Middle Ages, monasteries performed many important functions for society. The monks were successfully engaged in agriculture and trade. They provided shelter to strangers and pilgrims.

Monasteries also played an important role in educational activities. They concentrated the best libraries, accumulated archives. In addition, the monks were engaged in chronicle and rewrite existing books. Schools were formed at the monasteries.