Final answer:
During medieval times, monasteries were pivotal in preserving ancient manuscripts, offering refuge and care to people, and serving as centers of learning and culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
In what ways were monasteries helpful during medieval times? Monasteries played several vital roles in medieval society. They were integral in preserving ancient manuscripts, including classical Greek and Roman texts as well as early Christian writings, which were crucial after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Monks in monasteries hand-copied these texts, producing beautifully illuminated manuscripts. Beyond the preservation of knowledge, they provided refuge to people, offered religious education, and were centers of administrative activity.
While monasteries did not serve as military support to nobles or as direct enforcers of local kings' support, they cared for people, specifically through their work with the sick and the poor, embodying the Christian virtue of charity. They were havens during times of crisis but did not involve themselves overtly in military or political power plays.
Moreover, monasteries became centers of learning and culture, advancing scholarship during a period when Europe was fragmented into feudal states. Their role in the broader narrative of medieval history extended to include places for contemplation and worship, serving as a backbone for Christian worship and ascetic life.