Description
Book SynopsisThe true importance of cathedrals during the Anglo-Norman period is here brought out, through an examination of the most important aspects of their history. Cathedrals dominated the ecclesiastical (and physical) landscape of the British Isles and Normandy in the middle ages; yet, in comparison with the history of monasteries, theirs has received significantly less attention. This volume helps to redress the balance by examining major themes in their development between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. These include the composition, life, corporate identity and memory of cathedral communities; the relationships, sometimes supportive, sometimes conflicting, that they had with kings (e.g. King John), aristocracies, and neighbouring urban and religious communities; the importance of cathedrals as centres of lordship and patronage; their role in promoting and utilizing saints' cults (e.g. that of St Thomas Becket); episcopal relations; and the involvement of cathedrals in religious and political conflicts, and in the settlement of disputes. A critical introduction locates medieval cathedrals in space and time, and against a backdrop of wider ecclesiastical change in the period. Contributors: Paul Dalton, Charles Insley, Louise J. Wilkinson, Ann Williams, C.P. Lewis, RichardAllen, John Reuben Davies, Thomas Roche, Stephen Marritt, Michael Staunton, Sheila Sweetinburgh, Paul Webster, Nicholas Vincent
Trade ReviewA useful and engaging volume with some original and important essays. * CHURCH HISTORY *
Scholars pursuing topics that deal with religious communities, not only cathedrals, in the Anglo-Norman period will find much of interest in these well-crafted and carefully referenced essays. * THE MEDIEVAL REVIEW *
Table of ContentsIntroduction - Paul Dalton and Charles Insley and Louise J. Wilkinson The Dangers of Invention: The Sack of Canterbury, 1011, and the 'Theft' of Dunstan's Relics - Ann Williams Remembering Communities Past: Exeter Cathedral in the Eleventh Century - Charles Insley Communities, Conflict, and Episcopal Policy in the Diocese of Lichfield, 1050-1150 - C P Lewis The Acta archiepiscoporum Rotomagensium and Urban Ecclesiastical Rivalry in Eleventh-Century Rouen - Richard Allen Cathedrals and the Cult of Saints in Eleventh- and Twelfth-Century Wales - John Reuben Davies A Bishop and His Conflicts: Philip of Bayeux [1142-63] - Thomas Roche Ecclesiastical Responses to War in King Stephen's Reign: The Communities of Selby Abbey, Pontefract Priory and York Cathedral - Paul Dalton Secular Cathedrals and the Anglo-Norman Aristocracy - Stephen Marritt The Lives of Thomas Becket and the Church of Canterbury - Michael Staunton Caught in the Cross-Fire: Patronage and Institutional Politics in Late Twelfth-Century Canterbury - Sheila Sweetinburgh Crown, Cathedral, and Conflict: King John and Canterbury - Paul Webster The English Monasteries and their French Possessions - Nicholas Vincent
