What is a monks bench?

Now, let's talk about why these benches became such workhorses in medieval living spaces.

The primary purpose was maximising functionality in limited spaces. Monasteries operated with a philosophy of simplicity and practicality, so furniture needed to earn its keep. A monk's bench addressed multiple needs without cluttering valuable floor space. Rather like today's Murphy beds or extending dining tables, it represented clever design thinking applied to everyday challenges.

During mealtimes in the refectory, several monks could sit comfortably on the bench. When the meal concluded, the back flipped forward to create a work surface for manuscript copying, bookbinding, or preparing medicines. The transformation took mere seconds, making it incredibly practical for communities following structured daily routines.

The high back served a crucial protective function. Medieval stone buildings were notoriously cold and draughty. Sitting against a solid wooden panel created a barrier between occupants and icy walls, making the seating considerably more comfortable during long periods of prayer or study. Some examples featured carved panels that weren't just decorative but actually provided a small air gap for additional insulation.

Storage was another key purpose. The chest base kept textiles, prayer books, or personal items safe from damp floors and vermin. In an era when possessions were few but precious, this secure storage mattered enormously.

The hinged seat meant contents remained easily accessible yet protected when closed.

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Here's where things get interesting, because people often confuse these two related but distinct furniture forms.

A settle bench is a high-backed wooden bench designed purely for seating. It typically features solid sides, a tall back panel, and sometimes a storage box beneath the seat. Settles were common in taverns, churches, and grand halls throughout medieval and Tudor Britain. The back doesn't move, and the piece functions exclusively as seating.

The monk's bench, however, includes that transformative element. Yes, it looks rather like a settle when you're sitting on it, but flip that back forward and suddenly you've got a table. That's the critical difference. All monk's benches resemble settles in their seating configuration, but not all settles can transform into tables.

Think of it this way: a settle is a comfortable, draught-proof bench. A monk's bench is a comfortable, draught-proof bench that moonlights as a table.

Construction details differ too. Settles often feature more elaborate decorative carving on the back panel since it remains visible as the piece's focal point. Monk's benches typically have simpler backs because they'll frequently be viewed from both sides when converted to table mode. The arms on a monk's bench must be sturdy enough to support the weight of the flipped back plus whatever you place on the resulting table surface. Settle arms face less structural demand.

Another distinction involves proportions. Settles can vary wildly in size, from compact two-seaters to massive pieces spanning three metres or more. Monk's benches tend toward more standardised dimensions because the flipped back needs to create a useful table height. Too narrow and the table becomes impractical; too wide and it's awkward to use when configured as seating.

Regional variations existed across Britain. Welsh settles often incorporated elaborate carved motifs and taller backs. Scottish variants sometimes featured cleated ends. English monk's benches from different counties showed distinct joinery preferences and decorative styles, but the core transforming mechanism remained consistent.

Common Monk's Bench Dimensions and Specifications

This table shows how carefully proportioned these pieces needed to be for dual functionality. A monk's bench with a 50cm seat depth converts to a table approximately 65-70cm deep when the back (typically 15-20cm thick including framing) rests on the arms. That's a perfectly usable dining or work surface for two people sitting opposite each other.

Let me share some practical placement ideas based on years of helping clients integrate these characterful pieces into modern homes. Here are my favourite locations:

1. Entrance Halls - The storage compartment handles shoes, umbrellas, or seasonal accessories whilst providing seating for putting on footwear. When you need extra surface space for sorting post or setting down shopping bags, flip the back forward for an instant console table.
2. Kitchen Dining Areas - Position it against a wall with the storage containing table linens, placemats, or less-frequently-used serving pieces. During meal prep, convert it to additional work surface. For casual family meals, leave it in table mode with chairs or stools pulled up opposite.
3. Living Room Fireside - Place the bench perpendicular to your hearth, and the high back creates an intimate seating nook whilst protecting occupants from draughts. This arrangement works beautifully for reading or conversation rather than television watching.
4. Dining Rooms - Position the bench along one side of your dining table. The high back creates architectural interest whilst the storage holds extra table settings or serving equipment. Some clients use theirs exclusively in table mode as a sideboard.
5. Home Offices - Position a monk's bench beneath a window for reading with natural light, then flip it into a secondary work surface when you need space for spreading out documents or creative projects. The storage handles office supplies or files you want accessible but out of sight.
6. Bedrooms - Smaller monk's benches work wonderfully at the foot of the bed. The storage holds extra bedding or out-of-season clothing whilst providing a surface for laying out tomorrow's outfit or setting down a breakfast tray.

According to the UK Government's housing space standards, efficient space usage has always been crucial in British homes. Monk's benches represent a historical solution to this timeless challenge.

Consider traffic flow carefully. Remember that flipping the back requires clearance in front of the piece. Leave at least 60-80cm of open space to allow comfortable conversion between modes. Scale matters tremendously too. A 180cm monk's bench overwhelms a small cottage sitting room but might look lost in a grand farmhouse kitchen.

Lighting enhances the piece's visual impact. A pendant light overhead or flanking wall sconces highlight the woodwork's character whilst providing functional illumination for whatever activities you undertake at the bench.