Early Double Monasteries A Paper read before the Heretics' Society on December 6th, 1914

"Early Double Monasteries" by Constance Stoney is a historical exploration of religious communities housing both monks and nuns, highlighting their development and impact in early Christendom. It follows these unique monastic structures from their beginnings around the fourth century, referencing groups established by Pachomius in Egypt and across regions like Gaul and England. Highlighting significant female figures like Hild of Whitby and Aethelthryth of Ely, the book uncovers the indispensable roles women played in leadership and the complex merging intertwined issues of gender, religious commitment, and power dynamics that characterized these institutions. These monasteries helped shape old social organizations and safeguarded information and learning during eras marked by disruption.