Description
Book SynopsisFirst survey of the religious history of Cornwall, from the county's Romano-British origins to the sixteenth century. Religious history is the focus of this volume, which covers the development of Christianity in the county from its Romano-British origins up to the Elizabethan Church Settlement of 1559; it provides the first ever in-depth study of the county's religious history during the Middle Ages and the Reformation. The story it tells is a highly distinctive one, full of interest, covering the uniquely numerous local saints and founders, their legends and the parish churches, chapels, holy wells and religious sites associated with them, as well as the larger religious communities. The Cornish clergy are placed in a national context and the impact of their scholarship on the wider word is emphasised. Five general chapters are followed by detailed histories of the 35 monasteries, friaries, collegiate churches, and hospitals in the county. The book is well-illustrated throughout, with numerous maps, plans,and photographs. NICHOLAS ORME is Emeritus Professor of History at Exeter University and an honorary canon of Truro Cathedral. He has written some twenty books on English religious, cultural, and social history, including Medieval Children, Medieval Schools, and The Saints of Cornwall.
Trade ReviewNicholas Orme's clear, engaging prose deals with a full range of topics.The book will surely remain a standard source of reference for religion in medieval Cornwall, and is particularly useful for the religious houses. * JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY *
This is a handsomely produced volume, which holds much of interest for its readers. * SOUTHERN HISTORY *
[O]f usual VCH exceptional quality.The achievement of this book is that it makes sense of a very complicated situation in which myth or ease of near myth was very relevant to perceived significance, and it does that convincingly and authoritatively. * JOURNAL OF MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY *
[W]eighty and erudite...The introduction of this exciting 'work in progress' is a further badge of this volume's landmark status. * THE ANTIQUARIES JOURNAL *
As a piece of book production it is well done, with good binding and typesetting. The maps and illustrations are well done. [...] We are grateful for this book and look forward to further volumes. * CORNISH BANNER *
Table of ContentsRELIGIOUS HISTORY TO 1561 From the Romans to the Norman Conquest The Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries The Later Middle Ages: the Clergy The Later Middle Ages: the People The Reformation Christianity in Medieval Cornwall: Celtic Aspects by Oliver Padel - Oliver J. Padel RELIGIOUS HOUSES BEFORE 1066 RELIGIOUS HOUSES AFTER 1066 Glossary Bibliography
