How had the role of monasteries changed by the 1200s?
A.
They had mostly closed down and been replaced by mendicant orders.
B.
They had abandoned their role in education to focus on farming.
C.
They had survived only in rural areas.
D.
They had become centers of agriculture, and many were located in towns.
D. They had become centers of agriculture, and many were located in towns.
The correct answer is:
D. They had become centers of agriculture, and many were located in towns.
By the 1200s, the role of monasteries had evolved and they had become centers of agriculture. Many monasteries were now located in towns, serving as important economic and agricultural hubs. They played a central role in food production and trade, contributing to the local economy and providing sustenance for the surrounding communities.