Westminster Abbey: The last days of the monastery as shown by the life and times of Abbot John Islip, 1464-1532

"Westminster Abbey: The Last Days of the Monastery" by H.F. Westlake is a historical journey focusing on the final years of Westminster Abbey's time as a monastery, specifically through the eyes of Abbot John Islip from 1464 to 1532. It paints a picture of the period's monastic life, highlighting the intricacies of how the Abbey was run, the obstacles it encountered, and the important people involved. The tale begins by explaining the rules and structure of the monastery and then jumps into Islip's life and the events that shaped the Abbey, including his improvements to its prestige, and the sharp decline that followed under Abbot Boston setting the stage for dissolution. By looking at the duties of the monastic figures and exploring the records of what happened inside the Abbey, the book gives us a glimpse into daily life as well as the bigger changes happening in society that would ultimately decide the Abbey's future.