English monasteries

Aims

This course aims to: 

• appreciate the long history of English monasticism
   
• outline and examine the different periods of monastic architecture
   
• explain the different roles of the various orders and the requirements of their buildings

Content

England’s monasteries were dissolved by Henry VIII in the 1530s, marking the end of almost a millennium of monastic tradition. 

Most monasteries belonged to the mainstream orders – Benedictine, Cistercian, Friars of several varieties and colours, while others included the Carthusians and Bridgetinnes. 

As holders of vast swathes of land and exercising considerable economic and political power, England’s monasteries engaged in splendid and occasionally ground-breaking architectural schemes. This course begins with St Augustine’s Canterbury, the earliest and one of the most powerful. Archaeology has revealed the pre-Conquest layout, while the standing remains illustrate the continuing significance of this Benedictine house. Castle Acre (Cluniac) offers a glimpse of the Norman re-planning of both Church and State, the monastery within a planned Norman settlement, complete with castle. The Cluniacs were rich and powerful and the remains at Acre are easily read and examined. 

Fountains is synonymous with the Cistercians. Remarkably complete and glorious in its present parkland setting, the architecture of Fountains illustrates the rise and fall of the Cistercian ideal. St. Andrew’s Norwich is the only surviving complete friary church in England. It was also one of the most important. The friars built scores of houses in England but their urban setting proved their doom following the Dissolution. Patronage was key to much monastic wealth and Tewkesbury survives as an outstanding example. Packed full of family burials, the church remains the best surviving illustration of the richness and glamour of England’s lost monasteries.

Presentation of the course 

The course will be delivered via PowerPoint and class discussions.

Course sessions

1. St. Augustine’s Canterbury: Anglo-Saxon and later
    
2. Castle Acre and the Cluniacs
    
3. Fountains and the Cistercian Ideal
    
4. St Andrew’s Norwich and English friaries
    
5. Tewskesbury Abbey and the value of aristocratic patronage

Learning outcomes

You are expected to gain from this series of classroom sessions a greater understanding of the subject and of the core issues and arguments central to the course. 

The learning outcomes for this course are:

• to understand the different monastic and liturgical traditions either side of the conquest
   
• an ability to differentiate between the various monastic architectural ideal
   
• to understand better the urban significance of the friars

Required reading

There are no required readings for this course.

Typical week: Monday to Friday 

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students.   

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to your learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events. 

Evaluation and Academic Credit  

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.  

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay. 

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit. 

Certificate of attendance 

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.