History Main / WarriorMonk

* The '''Western''' form of Warrior Monk often turns out as a particularly devout KnightInShiningArmor, a heavily-armed and -armored crusader combining martial prowess with unmatched devotion to the ideals of the church (if not necessarily [[CorruptChurch the church itself]]). Expect such warriors to be referred to as {{paladin}}s or [[UsefulNotes/TheKnightsTemplar templars]]. In a fantasy setting, these Warrior Monks frequently enjoy tangible signs of their deity's favor, along with a variety of [[BarrierWarrior defensive]], [[HealingHands curative]], or [[StatusBuff augmentative]] powers, overlapping with the CombatMedic's repertoire. They also occasionally have a few [[HolyHandGrenade offensive abilities]] along with [[MeditationPowerup battle skills]], too. Still, sometimes the best way to deal with a monster or evil-doer is with a good, solid blow to the head, so Western monks often arm and train with blunt weapons such as maces, warhammers and flails, especially if to overcome the vow to never shed blood literally.

* ''Literature/TheReynardCycle'': The smith priests of Fenix field "battle priests", who are present during the Battle of the Samara in ''The Baron of Maleperduys.'' Naturally, they wield war hammers.
* In some of the ''Myth/RobinHood'' stories/ballads, Friar Tuck is an accomplished swordsman and archer, and when he isn't he can usually hold his own with his fists or a staff.

** Thoros of Myr is a red monk of the fire god R'hllor as well as a fearsome fighter. He has overthrown many a man in a melee with his flaming sword and was famously the first warrior over the wall during the siege of Pyke. He lapsed in his faith for some time until early in the series, when he experiences a re-awakening.
** The Drowned Men are holy men of the Drowned God who are expected to take up driftwood cudgels and kick ass for the faith when heathens are about.

* ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'': Warrior-Priests of Sigmar, who like to bash stuff with big hammers and wear heavy plate armor (although they usually [[HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic conspicuously leave their heads unprotected]], which are frequently shaved as a sign of devotion like actual religious practice). Followers of Ulric are similar, but favor axes and instead display their faith with a variety of wolf totems (usually furs). There are also Bretonnian Questing and Grail Knights, and some Chaos warlords qualify as evil versions of this trope.

* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'': The Vigil of Stendarr is a ChurchMilitant order dedicated to the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Aedric Divine]] Stendarr, God of Justice, Mercy, and Compassion. They can mostly be found wandering the countryside purging supernatural threats ([[OurDemonsAreDifferent Daedra]], [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Worshipers]], vampires, lycanthropes, etc.) with their [[CarryABigStick maces]] and [[MagicKnight spells]]. Despite serving Stendarr, they aren't a group big on [[{{Hypocrite}} mercy]], and [[KnightTemplar do not discriminate]] between worshipers of the more benovolent Daedra and/or {{Friendly Neighborhood Vampire}}s. [[spoiler:Their headquarters gets wiped out by a vampire order at the start of the ''Dawnguard'' DLC]].

* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfDragons'': Aldo the Cleric, a muscular monk with a heavy weapon. His profile even states his dislike of bladed weapons, which is why he fights with a [[CarryABigStick mace]].

* ''VideoGame/LegendOfLegaia'': The Order of Biron is a monastic order of Eastern-style Warrior Monks, combining spiritual teachings with martial arts training. Gala, one of your party members, is a member of the order at the beginning of the game. Like many examples of this trope, he wields axes, clubs, and maces.

* Bishops and other clergy often fought in UsefulNotes/TheCrusades. It's widely believed that clerical law against spilling blood forced them to use [[CarryABigStick blunt weapons such as maces]], but this is a myth. There are a number of medieval illustrations of clerics using edged weapons, for instance, in the ''Rolandslied'' of Conrad the Priest, ''c''. 1170. Even more notably, a monk is depicted as the master in illustrations in the [[UsefulNotes/EuropeanSwordsmanship I.33 manuscript]].