Medieval English Nunneries, C. 1275 to 1535 [Paperback]

Eileen Power (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0819601403 | ISBN-13: 978-0819601407 | Publication Date: October 1988

Eileen Power, best known for her posthumously published Medieval Women, was one of the foremost scholars of medieval economic and social history in the first half of the twentieth century. This 1922 work is a substantial study of medieval English nunneries between 1275 and 1535. Power examines in depth who entered the convents, how they were organised, their finances, activities and problems. Although medieval nunneries were significantly poorer and less well documented than the monastic houses, Power uses the available sources to build up a multifaceted picture of medieval life. Her arguments are firmly rooted in documentary evidence, but are presented in an extremely accessible and engaging style. The book reveals that convent life was not particularly ascetic or learned, and that in poorer houses the nuns had to find additional sources of income. Power's account of their methods of coping makes fascinating reading.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This 1922 study of medieval English convents broke new ground by examining an aspect of medieval life that had been largely ignored, owing to the relative lack of sources. Power shows that most nuns were of upper and middle class, living under light discipline and not immune to scandals. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Biblo-Moser (October 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819601403
• ISBN-13: 978-0819601407
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,756,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grateful for her work, January 14, 2006

By 

L. Brown "Medfem2b" (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Medieval English Nunneries, C. 1275 to 1535 (Paperback)

Power's work has set the tone and prepared the ground for future scholars and admirers of English nunneries. The debt owed to her is immense. She offers an "interdisciplinary" examination of medieval religious women and their world as well as the laws and social mechanisms which influenced and were influenced by them. Although recent scholarship has corrected some of her assertions, Eileen Power remains the standard work in the field.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eileen Power on Medieval Nunneries in England, January 27, 2005

By 

PJ Amas (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medieval English Nunneries, C. 1275 to 1535 (Paperback)

First published in 1922, this book is rich in well-researched details that will bring the medieval nunnery to life. Scratch the surface of a habit and you'll find a very human woman. Medieval English Nunneries is an entertaining and enlightening read. I read a library copy then had to buy it for my collection. I am pleased it's still in print.