Brief Description:
Three volume set providing fully documented, critical lists of monastic superiors from 940 to 1540.

Review Quotes:
Praise for Volumes I and II: '... these two volumes constitute a major contribution to the grand and continuing project of unlocking the Middle Ages.' The Journal of Ecclesiastical History

Review Quotes:
Praise for Volume II: 'The editors are to be congratulated for producing a fine volume which will join Volume I as an indispensable part of any medieval historian's library.' English Historical Review

Review Quotes:
Praise for Volumes I and II: 'The ... scholarship is meticulous: the information and references on which all judgements are based are given in great detail ... the compressed material is laid out with such clarity that both rapid scanning and close reading are easy ... It is to be hoped that the remaining 163 years of monasticism in England and Wales will be covered in a third volume, to complete this already fine monument to medieval scholarship.' Welsh History Review

Marc Notes:
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.;[1] 940-1216 -- 2. 1216-1377 / edited by David M. Smith, Vera C.M. London -- 3. 1377-1540 / edited by David M. Smith.

Review Quotes:
'The invaluable volumes are astonishing compilations of information ... No one working in English or Welsh medieval monastic history, and Cistercian history in particular, can afford to be without access to these fundamental volumes, and we can only be grateful to the compilers for providing us with such invaluable tools and such a rich mine of information.' Citeaux Commentarii Cistercienses

Table of Contents:
VOLUME I Preface (2001); Preface (1972); Introduction; Heads of religious houses: England and Wales 940-1216; The Benedictine houses; Independent houses; Dependencies; Alien priories; The Cluniac houses; The Cistercian houses; The Carthusian monks; The Augustinian canons; The Premonstratensian canons; The Gilbertine canons and nuns; The Nuns; Appendices; Addendum; Corrigenda; Index of heads; Index of religious houses. VOLUME II Preface; Manuscript sources cited; Printed books and articles cited, with abbreviated references; Other abbreviations; Introduction; Heads of religious houses: England and Wales 1216-1377; 1. The Benedictine houses; 2. The Cluniac houses; 3. The Grandmontine houses; 4. The Cistercian houses; 5. The Carthusian houses; 6. The Augustinian canons; 7. The Premonstratensian canons; 8. The Gilbertine canons and nuns; 9. The Trinitarian houses; 10. Monasteries of Bonhommes; 11. Unidentified order and uncertain status; 12. The nuns; Index of heads; Index of religious houses. VOLUME III Introduction: I. The purpose and scope; II. The materials; III. The arrangement of the lists; Heads of religious houses: England and Wales 1377-1540; The Benedictine houses: Independent houses; Dependencies; Alien priories; The Cluniac houses; The Grandmontine houses; The Cistercian houses; The Carthusian monks; The Augustinian canons; The Premonstratensian canons; The Gilbertine canons and nuns; The Trinitarian houses; Monasteries of bonhommes; Unidentified orders; The nuns; Corrigenda and addenda to volume II (2001).

Contributor Bio:Brooke, C N L
C. N. L. Brooke is Dixie Professor Emeritus of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Cambridge, and a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College.

Contributor Bio:Knowles, David
David Knowles was formerly Regius Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Peterhouse.

Contributor Bio:London, Vera
Vera London was an independent scholar. In addition to being a co-editor of Volumes I and II of Heads of Religious Houses, she published editions of the Cartularies of Canonsleigh Abbey and Bradenstoke Priory.

Contributor Bio:Smith, David M
David M. Smith is Emeritus Professor, University of York.