William de Colchester, Abbot of Westminster

"WILLIAM DE COLCHESTER, ABBOT OF WESTMINSTER" by Ernest Harold Pearce is an early 20th-century examination of William de Colchester’s life as Abbot of Westminster during a period of great change in England. The book looks at his many duties within the venerable Abbey and the historical events happening around him at the time. The story starts off explaining the grandeur of Westminster Abbey and its famous occupants like Newton and Darwin, before introducing Colchester and the path he took from obscurity to his important position. The beginning chapters explore Colchester’s origins, how he rose in the ranks of the Abbey, and his important work as a representative in Rome as well as managing the Abbey during conflicts and political games. All of this comes together to paint a lively picture of how personal life and public events were intertwined during this time, meant to draw in readers interested in religious history and the complexities of medieval politics.