settle, long wooden bench with backrest and arms, designed to seat several people. ... It could be used for a variety of purposes: as a seat, a bed, a chest, and, in examples with a hinged backrest that can be turned down to rest on the arms, a table.

What kind of furniture is a settle?

A settle is a wooden bench, usually with arms and a high back, long enough to accommodate three or four sitters.

Why is it called a monks bench?

Percy Blandford notes that "whether monks ever used such a bench is debatable, but it is an attractive name". A monks bench was a very useful form at a time when many homes had a large room used for multiple functions, because it allowed a large dining table to swing up and out of the way.