English Monasteries

"English Monasteries" by A. Hamilton Thompson is a historical exploration of monasticism in England. The text begins by defining monasteries as religious communities living under specific rules, primarily the rule of St. Benedict, and then starts to cover their evolution and significance during the medieval period. It addresses the development of various monastic orders, notable figures in the movement, and the differences between cenobitic and anchoritic lifestyles. It promises to illuminate the architectural and cultural history of these English religious institutions and their place in British society.