Monastic and Religious Orders in Britain, 1000-1300

Description

This book traces the development of monasticism in England, Scotland and Wales from the last half century of Anglo-Saxon England to 1300. It explores the nature of the impact of the Norman settlement on monastic life, and how Britain responded to new, European ideas on monastic life. In particular, it examines Britain's response to the needs of religious women. It covers every aspect of the life and work of the religious orders: their daily life, the buildings in which they lived, their contribution to intellectual developments and to the economy. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between religious houses and their founders and patrons. This shows the degree of dependence of religious houses on local patrons. Indeed, one major theme which emerges from the book is the constant tension between the ideals of monastic communities and the demands of the world.

"The best survey now available, more detailed and closer to current scholarships ..." --Religious Studies Review "Students and teachers will find in this book a reliable, sensible, and up-to-date account of its subjects. There are no idiosyncratic opinions; students will never be misled into mistaking a minority viewpoint for a majority consensus...there are many innovative things about this book." Speculum "...by its intelligent, lucid, and detailed summary of the very extensive research published during that half century, it is likely to prove as durable and as valuable to students as the works by Knowles." Journal of British Studies