The Origins of British Monasticism

Britain - Monasticism, 598-1540

In this course, Dr Francis Young (University of Oxford) looks at the history of monasticism in Britain, starting with its origins in the 5th and 6th centuries and ending with the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. In the first module, we take a look at the origins of British monasticism, exploring the earliest roots of monasticism in 4th century Egypt and the influence of European monastic orders upon monastic life in Britain. In the second module, we trace early transformations in monasticism and how these influenced monastic life in Britain, before in the third module turning to look at challenges to monasticism and their consequences in Britain. In the fourth module, we shift our focus to the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII, then in the fifth and final module we consider the aftermath of the dissolutions, focusing in particular on the impact that they had upon the survival of monasticism in Britain.

The Origins of British Monasticism

In this lecture, we look at the origins of British monasticism, starting with the 5th and 6th centuries, focusing in particular on: (i) the recent excavation of a site containing the earliest known evidence of British monasticism at Beckery; (ii) the origins of early British monasticism, including Gaulish monasticism and Coptic monasticism; (iii) the factors contributing to the success of early English monasticism, including the power possessed by abbots and abbesses, and the appeal of monasticism during times of struggle; (iv) the nature and importance of Irish monasticism; (v) 6th century British monasticism, including the introduction of the rule of St Benedict; (vi) the minster, the characteristic institution of early-Anglo-Saxon monasticism; (v) 10th century British monasticism, the revival of monastic life in Britain and the influence of the Benedictine reform movement; and (vii) monastic cathedrals and the significance of the minster in late-Anglo-Saxon Britain.