European University Institute Library

A history of the abbey of Bury St Edmunds, 1257-1301, Simon of Luton and John of Northwold, Antonia Gransden

eng

index present

non fiction

A history of the abbey of Bury St Edmunds, 1257-1301

electronic resource

dictionaries

921141136

Antonia Gransden

Studies in the history of medieval religion, volume XLIICambridge Social Sciences eBooks

Simon of Luton and John of Northwold

St Edmund's Abbey was one of the most highly privileged and wealthiest religious houses in medieval England, one closely involved with the central government; its history is an integral part of English history. This book, the second of two volumes, offers a magisterial and comprehensive account of the Abbey during the latter part of the thirteenth century, based primarily on evidence in the abbey's records (over 40 registers survive). It begins with an account of the two abbots of this period, Simon of Luton and John of Northwold, who showed outstanding ability in steering the abbey through difficult times, including conflict with the Friars Minor in the town, straitened financial circumstances (partly caused by oppressive taxation from king and pope), and domestic issues. This is followed by consideration of such matters as the abbey's mint, its economy, religious, intellectual and cultural life, and the abbey's architecture -- especially the charnel chapel constructed by John, which survives to this day. The monks' dietary regime (with examples of actual recipes from the time) is examined in a detailed appendix.--, Provided by publisher