The Medieval Monastery (Shire Library)

As a guide at St Albans Abbey (in the Middle-Ages England's foremost Benedictine monastery) I have read many a weighty tome on monastic life and I can honestly say that this is to my mind the best book published on this subject in recent years. The illustrations are great and its engaging readability is underpinned by scholarly research. For example, it was invaluable to me when recently I was preparing a lecture on monastic medicine, as the section on 'Health and Sickness' gives details of the herbs grown at Norwich Cathedral Priory, the drugs and spices that the infirmarer was buying in, and the infusions he was making for colds. Roger Rosewell derived these fascinating details from the Priory Rolls, a source which I haven't found quoted in any other books on monastic life. In short if you only ever buy one book on this subject, I would make it this one.

Interesting but could have done with more detail.

Easy to read book on the growth of monasteries, the practices the monks were obliged to follow and the destruction in the 16th century. So this will be a useful book when visiting former monasteries.

Really enjoyed this. Light but interesting reading with great photos.

Brings the Medieval Monastery to life. For the 900th anniversary of Merton Priory I needed to learn about the Augustinians, not one of the four main orders, but nevertheless dealt with in detail, and every priory listed. The photographs are breathtaking and Mr Rosewell's own drawings recreate monastic life with such imagination and fidelity.

book very informative little.

Book arrived in fantastic condition and on the dtae you said it would and ar the exact time it said in the e-mail-12.32 pm. Not 12.29 nor 12.33 but dead on time. Couldn't ask for more.Short and sweet and to the point. Excellent book.Many thanks

Easy to read and appears very well research. I am pretty sure this book has been used by authors of novels relating to monastic thrillers.