Description
Book SynopsisThe first full-scale study of the medieval funerary monuments of South Wales. South Wales is an area blessed with an eclectic, but largely unknown, monumental heritage, ranging from plain cross slabs to richly carved effigial monuments on canopied tomb-chests. As a group, these monuments closely reflect theturbulent history of the southern march of Wales, its close links to the West Country and its differences from the 'native Wales' of the north-west. As individuals, they offer fascinating insights into the spiritual and secular concerns of the area's culturally diverse elites. Church Monuments in South Wales is the first full-scale study of the medieval funerary monuments of this region offering a much-needed Celtic contribution to the growingcorpus of literature on the monumental culture of late-medieval Europe, which for the British Isles has been hitherto dominated by English studies. It focuses on the social groups who commissioned and were commemorated by funerary monuments and how this distinctive memorial culture reflected their shifting fortunes, tastes and pre-occupations at a time of great social change. Rhianydd Biebrach has taught medieval history at the universities ofSwansea, Cardiff and South Wales and edited the journal Church Monuments. She currently works for Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales.
Trade ReviewAn extremely competent, interesting and well set-out study of an important subject. * CHURCH MONUMENTS *
Attractive and authoritative volume, enhanced by some excellent photographs. * ARCHAEOLOGIA CAMBRENSIS *
A welcome contribution to growing scholarship on commemoration of this kind. * MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY *
Fills a large gap in our knowledge as regards south Wales. * MORGANNWG Journal of Glamorgan History *
This book is an impressive piece of work that is a worthy addition to the expanding body of scholarship on the monumental culture of late medieval Britain. In addition to church monuments enthusiasts, the book will attract anyone interested in late medieval commemoration and material culture. It also offers a significant contribution to the study of Wales during the late Middle Ages. -- Matthew Ward * Journal of British Studies *
Table of ContentsIntroduction. South Wales from the Thirteenth to the Early Sixteenth Century An Overview of Welsh Monuments Patrons and Subjects: The Social Status of those Commissioning and Commemorated by Monuments in South Wales Materials, Production and Supply Spirituality and the Desire for Salvation Secular Concerns Afterlife Conclusion Bibliography
