English monasteries : From Saxon days to their dissolution

This compact study opens a window onto the world of England’s monasteries, tracing their beginnings in the seventh‑century Saxon era through to their final suppression in the sixteenth century. Drawing on a breadth of original material—episcopal registers, chartularies, customs, and inventories—the author weaves together the everyday rhythms of monastic vocation, education, charity, diet and discipline. Each chapter spotlights a different facet of the cloistered life, offering listeners a clear picture of how these communities shaped both spiritual practice and local economies.

The narrative proceeds by examining the tangible records left behind, from the meticulous accounting rolls of Glastonbury to the visitation reports that reveal internal reforms. Along the way, the work highlights the growing influence of royal commissions under Henry VII and the dramatic changes that heralded the dissolution under Henry VIII. Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation of how England’s religious houses functioned, flourished and ultimately transformed the landscape of medieval society.