We know of Saint Benedict by way of Pope Gregory. The Pope found a little booklet that he like and promoted it to his subordinates. Since he was the Pope of the Church and one fo the most effective on record he had some considerable influence. Where it took root the idea was work for work's sake. Or more accurately it was work for God's sake. A balance of work and pray for the greater glory of God. The rusult of that work was more or less immaterial. It was the process that was important.

The Rule of Benedict has an implicit knowledge structure. The process of work, pray, and fellowship within the monastery. The content of the readings was not as important as the process. "It is the the common man who wishes to be closer to God." No insight, no true understanding of the content is required. Some may wish to make the point that even the dullest tool in the shed may after years in such a setting gain some degree of enlightment. Compassion compells me to hope that this was often the case but it really has no bearing on my point. It is only needful for the acylyte to learn to fuction with in the process that is The Rule of Benedict. It is the only requirment and is indeed the only measurment. If an individual is unable to conform he is eventually expelled regardless of his true understanding and/or spiritual state.

Clement of Alexandria was more concerned that individual gain "perfect insight". The perfect Christian would gain enlightment through insight and knowledge. By means of a philosophy of inquiry.

What I keep running inot when I want to draw paraellels with the past is metphor shear. Before I can beven half-bake an analogy it shatters. I wanted to draw an analogy between the multitude of religions and gods before widespread monotheism and the many scientific specialists and the stereotype of the lone scientist in a white lab coat. Perhaps the icon of the lone scientist is stronger then I have some to see it. It is one of those things where I am no longer able to judge others perceptions due to my own insight.

The illumintation of manuscripts was a form of work. It was the task, the process of working. The the text was the Bible and prayer books only heightens the spiritual nature in the eyes of the laborer. Thus arose the book of Kells. The work of the monks would have primarily been prayer books for use within the monastery. Just as many of the other tasks were related to the operation of the monastery. These prayer books would have been needed to teach the novice. The fancier ones were probably for the older monks that needed little more than a reminder (if that).

As to the other manuscripts held within the Church? They fell out of use and lay forgotten and rotting. Or at best they were stored away and locations forgotten. (There was no card catalog or other rigours system for locating materials.)

Looking at the next phase of my research my understanding of the early Middle Ages is one of turmoil. It was only within the monasteries and primarily those of Ireland where the common thread was kept. Under such constraits vast protions of the fabric can not help but get lost.