The Monastic Rules of Visigothic Iberia - eTheses Repository ...

However, there are some noticeable differences which could have given rise to
regional variation detectable in the monastic rules. The Rule of Fructuosus certainly presents
peculiarities in daily life that are not seen elsewhere in the Visigothic monastic rules: the
monks are permitted to wear trousers, although Fructuosus admits that this does not happen
in other monasteries; 149 there is mention of the keeping of flocks due to the poverty of the soil
which, although mentioned in the Rule of Isidore, is heavily emphasised in Fructuosus; there
is reference to the eating of salt-water fish, presumably not readily available to monasteries
far from the coast or tidal rivers. 150
In many aspects, the Common Rule and the Rule of Fructuosus are far harsher than
the Rule of Isidore, leading some to postulate a harsher ascetic existence in the north. The
employment of physical punishments such as beatings and floggings and solitary
confinements are referred to in the Rule of Fructuosus, whereas they are largely absent in
Isidore. Thus, a monk who is frequently quarrelsome is to be corrected severely with blows
and fed only small amounts of bread and water, whilst those who lie, steal, strike or swear
falsely must, if they remain unreformed, be flogged severely and be secluded in a cell for
three months. 151 The Common Rule encourages children to be whipped. 152 That such
punishments did occur is suggested by a scene in the Lives of the Fathers of Merida, where an
149 Rule of Fructuosus 4, “Femoralium usus cuiquam est permittendus, maxime his qui ministerio
altaris inplicatur. Sed et hoc qui studere noluerit reprehendendus non erit cum nunc usque constet
pleraque hunc usum monasteria etiam in his regionibus non habere”.
150 Rule of Fructuosus 5, “Uiuant enim solis oleribus et leguminibus raroque pisciculis fluuialibus uel
marinis”.
151 Rule of Fructuosus 16.
152 Common Rule 6, “Quodsi in aliquot quae diximus deprehensi fuerint, continuo ab ipso suo decano
uirga emendentur”.
54