Malmesbury Abbey 670-1539: Patronage, Scholarship and Scandal

Malmesbury Abbey was a significant institution in the Middle Ages, housing two eminent writers and having royal connections. It was important architecturally, with the church rebuilt at the behest of Bishop Roger of Salisbury and the surviving south porch containing some of the finest Romanesque sculpture in England. The book reveals the identity of the Malmesbury monk who wrote the chronicle known as Eulogium Historiarum in the 1360s and sheds new light on the extraordinary careers of abbots such as William of Colerne and John of Tintern. The turbulent final years of the Abbey's existence receive considerable attention, including an account of the spectacular breakdown in discipline in 1527 when Abbot Richard Camme was attacked by a gang of rebellious monks.

Format: Hardback
Length: 298 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Malmesbury Abbey, a venerable institution of national significance throughout the Middle Ages, has been the subject of this comprehensive historical study, marking the first full-length exploration of its rich history. Drawing upon a wealth of surviving documentary sources, the book delves into the monastery's evolution from the late seventh century to its dissolution in 1539. This captivating narrative provides a detailed account of the Abbey's transformation, its role in royal connections, and the notable figures who called it home, including Aldhelm and William of Malmesbury.

The Abbey, with its royal connections, housed the mausoleum of Æthelstan, the first king of all England, and was re-founded by King Edgar as part of an elite network of Benedictine communities. Queen Matilda, the wife of Henry I, took a keen interest in the monastery's affairs, and Henry Plantagenet was present during a massacre in the Abbey church in 1153.

In the 1320s, the monks became embroiled in the conflict between Edward II and his baronial opponents. Architecturally, the Abbey held great significance, with the church undergoing a complete rebuild at the behest of Bishop Roger of Salisbury, the chief minister of Henry I. The surviving south porch boasts some of the finest Romanesque sculpture in England.

This book employs previously neglected or unexamined sources extensively, shedding new light on various aspects of the Abbey's history. It reveals the identity of the Malmesbury monk who wrote the chronicle known as Eulogium Historiarum in the 1360s, identifying him as Thomas of Bromham and his visionary concept of a messianic role for the Black Prince. Furthermore, the book delves into the extraordinary careers of abbots like William of Colerne, who significantly transformed the Abbey's economic fortunes, and John of Tintern, who faced accusations of murder and arson.

The final years of the Abbey's existence are explored in depth, encompassing a spectacular breakdown in 1539, marked by the dissolution of the monasteries and the confiscation of its assets by the Crown. The book provides a comprehensive and insightful account of Malmesbury Abbey's rich history, offering valuable insights into the lives and contributions of its monks, royal connections, and architectural significance.

Weight: 614g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783277148