The archaeological history of hermitages and eremitic communities in Medieval Britain and beyond : in search of solitude

Many hermitages and eremitic communities are recorded throughout the medieval period, yet to date, there has been no comprehensive archaeological study. This richly illustrated book will consequently discuss a range of hermitages and introduce the reader to their architectural forms, spaces, location and environments as well as the religious practices associated with them. It will focus primarily on the British material but will nonetheless consider this within a wider comparative framework. Overall, it will offer an archaeological history of hermitages and presents a unique window into a lost world of medieval spirituality and religious life. Key related themes will include the earliest archaeological evidence for hermits (eremitic life) in India, China and East Asia, pre- and early Christian desert hermitages, cave hermitages, eremitic communities, saints and missionary hermits, life and diet, medieval mysticism and the contemplative tradition, secular and ornamental hermitages and hermits in post-medieval and contemporary society. This book offers an illustrated archaeological history of hermitages and eremitic communities, with reference to key examples and case studies. It will therefore appeal to both academics, students and a more general readership interested in archaeology, history, comparative religion, architecture, religion and belief, spirituality, medieval Britain, modern contemplative practice and contemporary heritage issues. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Figures Acknowledgements Part I 1. Introduction Introduction Notes References 2. Early Hermits and Hermitages in India: An Overview Introduction India Śramaṇa and Radical Spirituality The Naked Philosophers Convention and Constraint: Hermitages and Eremitic Communities in Early Buddhism References 3. Early Hermits and Hermitages in China, Japan and Tibet: An Overview China Taoist and Buddhist Hermits Early Cave Sites in China Hermits in the Literary Tradition Hermits and Hermitages in Early Japan Hermits and Hermitages in Tibet References 4. The Desert Hermitage in Early Christianity The Hermit Ideal: East and West Pre-Christian Hermits Early Christian Hermits and Hermitages Caves, Ruins and Mausolea Desert Hermits and Eremitic Communities From Hermitage to Monastery Beyond Egypt References Part II 5. Hermits and Hermitages in the Post-Roman and Early Medieval West: An Overview St Martin and the Hermitage Retreat St Benedict and 'Categories' of Hermit Independent Hermits and Hermitages References 6. Hermits and Hermitages in Early Medieval Ireland Ireland and Britain: The Iron Age and the 'New Christianity' Ireland St Colman and Irish Cave Hermitages Eremitic Communities in Early Medieval Ireland References 7. The Hermits and Hermitages of Early Medieval Britain Peregrinations and Eremitism Columban Hermitages Eileach an Naoimh and Penitential Islands Hermitage Caves in Scotland Hermits and Hermitages in Wales and West Britain Note References 8. Hermits and Hermitages in Early Medieval England Historical Overview The Hermitage of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne Anglo-Saxon Hermitages Hermits and Hermitages in Southwest England Notes References Part III 9. The Religious Context of the Medieval Hermitage The Inner and Outer Life of the Late Medieval Hermit Contemplative Texts and Practices Evocative Spaces: The Landscape and Setting of Medieval Hermitages Visual Networks and Landscape Practicalities of the Hermit Life Dress and Appearance Diet Notes References 10. Hermitages and Hermits in Late Medieval England Background Late Medieval Cave Hermitages Eremitic Communities in Late Medieval England Collegiate and Chantry Hermitages Hermitages, Religion and Society Hermitage Chapels References 11. Institutional Hermits Anchorite and Anchorhold Hermit Friars and Contemplative Monks The 'New' Hermits The Carthusians Notes References 12. The 'Afterlife' of the Medieval Hermitage Secular and 'Ornamental' Hermits Secular Hermits Contemporary Hermitages and Hermits References 13. Conclusion References Index "Despite the existence of many hermitages and eremitic communities recorded throughout the medieval period, they have, somewhat surprisingly, received little archaeological attention. Consequently, this book offers an archaeological history of hermitages and eremitic communities, with reference to key examples and case-studies. It has a particular emphasis on the British medieval period, but it also contextualises this within a wider comparative framework. Many hermitages and eremitic communities are recorded throughout the medieval period, yet to date there has been no comprehensive archaeological study. This richly illustrated book will consequently discuss a range of hermitages and introduce the reader to their architectural forms, spaces, location and environments as well as the religious practices associated with them. It will focus primarily on the British material but will nonetheless consider this within a wider comparative framework. Overall, it will offer an archaeological history of hermitages and presents a unique window into a lost world of medieval spirituality and religious life. Key related themes will include the earliest archaeological evidence for hermits (eremitic life) in India, China and East Asia, pre- and early Christian desert hermitages, cave hermitages, eremitic communities, saints and missionary hermits, life and diet, medieval mysticism and the contemplative tradition, secular and ornamental hermitages and hermits in post-medieval and contemporary society. This book offers an illustrated archaeological history of hermitages and eremitic communities, with reference to key examples and case-studies. It will therefore appeal to both academics, students and a more general readership interested in archaeology, history, comparative religion, architecture, religion and belief, spirituality, medieval Britain, modern contemplative practice and contemporary heritage issues"-- Provided by publisher