The Dependent Priories of Medieval English Monasteries (Studies in the History of Medieval Religion) (Studies in the History of Medieval Religion)

Although hundreds of dependent priories were founded across medieval Europe, they remain little studied and much misunderstood. This first full-length study of the history of the 140 or so daughter houses of English monasteries takes issue with the orthodox opinion that they were primarily administrative in function. The author begins by examining the reasons for the foundation of these monasteries (frequently on the initiative of local landowners, or to foster important local cults centering on relics of images), and the relations between dependent priories and their mother houses, bishops and patrons. He goes on to investigate everyday life in cells, the priories' interaction with their neighbours, their place in the local community, and their economic viability. The unusual pattern of dissolution of these houses is also revealed. Throughout, Dr Heale argues that the dependent priories sheds a great deal of light on the world of the small religious house, and suggests that these shadowy institutions were far more central to medieval religion and society than has been appreciated. A history of the 140 or so daughter houses of English monasteries, considering the reasons for their foundation and their everyday life. Although hundreds of dependent priories were founded across medieval Europe, they remain little studied and much misunderstood. Usually dismissed as just administrative units, many were in fact genuine religious houses set up forspiritual reasons. This study charts for the first time the history of the 140 or so daughter houses of English monasteries, which have always been overshadowed by the French cells in England, the so-called alien priories. The first part of the book examines the reasons for the foundation of these monasteries and the relations between dependent priories and their mother houses, bishops and patrons. The second part investigates everyday life in cells, the priories' interaction with their neighbours and their economic viability. The unusual pattern of dissolution of these houses is also revealed. The experience of daughter houses sheds a great deal of light on the world of the smallreligious house, and suggests that these shadowy institutions were far more central to medieval religion and society than has been appreciated. MARTIN HEALE is Lecturer in Late Medieval History, University of Liverpool. Although hundreds of dependent priories were founded across medieval Europe, they remain little studied and much misunderstood. Usually dismissed as just administrative units, many were in fact genuine religious houses set up for spiritual reasons. This study charts for the first time the history of the 140 or so daughter houses of English monasteries, which have always been overshadowed by the French cells in England, the so-called alien priories. The first part of the book examines the reasons for the foundation of these monasteries and the relations between dependent priories and their mother houses, bishops and patrons. The second part investigates everyday life in cells, the priories' interaction with their neighbours and their economic viability. The unusual pattern of dissolution of these houses is also revealed. The experience of daughter houses sheds a great deal of light on the world of the small religious house, and suggests that these shadowy institutions were far more central to medieval religion and society than has been appreciated. MARTIN HEALE is Lecturer in Late Medieval History, University of Liverpool CONTENTS ......Page 6 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ......Page 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......Page 10 ABBREVIATIONS ......Page 12 The Dependent Priories of the Monasteries of Medieval England (England and Wales)......Page 15 Introduction......Page 22 PART I: The Dependent Priory as Daughter House......Page 34 1. The Foundation of English Cells......Page 36 2. The Constitutional Affairs of English Cells......Page 85 3. ‘A Source of Weakness’?Mother Houses and Their Daughters......Page 135 PART II: The Dependent Priory as Small Monastery......Page 178 4. Monastic Life in Dependent Priories......Page 180 5. Dependent Priories and their Neighbours......Page 215 6. The Economy of English Cells......Page 250 Epilogue: The Dissolution of English Cells......Page 298 1. The Foundation of English Cells, c.1017–c.1250......Page 310 2. Later Foundations/Acquisitions Of English Cells, c.1250–1533......Page 316 3. Numbers of Religious in English Cells......Page 318 4. Dependent Priories and Shared Churches......Page 322 5. The Dissolution of English Cells......Page 326 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY ......Page 336 INDEX ......Page 368 "This study charts for the first time the history of the 140 or so daughter houses of English monasteries, which have always been overshadowed by the French cells in England, the so-called alien priories. The first part of the book examines the reasons for the foundation of these monasteries and the relations between dependent priories and their mother houses, bishops and patrons. The second part investigates everyday life in cells, the priories' interaction with their neighbours and their economic viability. The unusual pattern of dissolution of these houses is also revealed. Because of the tremendous bulk of material to survive for English dependencies, this is the most detailed account of a group of small monasteries yet written. Although daughter houses are in many ways unrepresentative of other lesser monasteries, their experience sheds a great deal of light on the world of the small religious house, and suggests that these shadowy institutions were far more central to medieval religion and society than has been appreciated."--Jacket ISBN-13: 9781843830542 CONTENTS 6 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10 ABBREVIATIONS 12 The Dependent Priories of the Monasteries of Medieval England (England and Wales) 15 Introduction 22 PART I: The Dependent Priory as Daughter House 34 1. The Foundation of English Cells 36 2. The Constitutional Affairs of English Cells 85 3. ‘A Source of Weakness’?Mother Houses and Their Daughters 135 PART II: The Dependent Priory as Small Monastery 178 4. Monastic Life in Dependent Priories 180 5. Dependent Priories and their Neighbours 215 6. The Economy of English Cells 250 Epilogue: The Dissolution of English Cells 298 APPENDICES 310 1. The Foundation of English Cells, c.1017–c.1250 310 2. Later Foundations/Acquisitions Of English Cells, c.1250–1533 316 3. Numbers of Religious in English Cells 318 4. Dependent Priories and Shared Churches 322 5. The Dissolution of English Cells 326 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY 336 INDEX 368 Boydell,Press Boydell Press The Foundation Of English Cells -- The Constitutional Affairs Of English Cells -- 'a Source Of Weakness'? : Mother Houses And Their Daughters -- Monastic Life In Dependent Priories -- Dependent Priories And Their Neighbours -- The Economy Of English Cells -- Epilogue: The Dissolution Of English Cells. Martin Heale. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [315]-346) And Index.