This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/todayilearned by /u/a2soup on 2023-07-05 19:59:49+00:00.

Original Title: TIL of anchorites, medieval Christian ascetics who were walled into a cell (“anchorhold”) attached to a church for their entire adult lives. Through small windows, they received sustenance, disposed of waste, and provided spiritual guidance to the public.