Medieval English Nunneries, c. 1275 to 1535

by Eileen Power

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.

Genres: History, Medieval, Nonfiction, Medieval History

724 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1922

About the author

A specialist in medieval history, Eileen Edna LePoer Power was Director of Studies in History at Girton College, University of Cambridge from 1913 until 1921, Lecturer in Political Science at the London School of Economics from 1921 until 1924, and Reader of the University of London 1924 until 1931. In 1931 she became the second woman to be appointed to the Chair of Economic History at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book remains relevant because of the exhaustive understanding that Powers got of daily life in the convents of this period. We have boots on the ground when we read her, or perhaps we have Carmelite sandals on it. All other scholars have done is enrich our understanding around what Powers found here, not negate it.

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative and a great eye opener about Medieval monastic life. The extracts of old English in some parts was surprisingly not too hard to read but the old French was impossible.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Eileen Eileen! This book was an important starting point for women’s studies and the study of English nunneries, but does present some unsupported ideas.