including headings The first monks, Jain monks, Buddhist monks, The Essenes, Christian hermits, ...
The coasts of the British isles are now dotted with monasteries, not yet rich by the standards of medieval monasticism but with sufficient wealth to attract Viking marauders. One of the most famous islands, Iona, is raid...
The Capetian kings preside over a French civilization which is a glittering source of inspiration within a rapidly developing Europe. Monasteries are powerful forces in that development, and France is the home o...
In the 19th century convents and monasteries are even established for Protestants (unthinkable at any previous time since the Reformation), with the Anglican church giving the lead in the 1840s. In most western countries...
Five years later Innocent's visitor is a Spaniard, Dominic de Guzman, who has much experience of preaching (to the Cathars) and a specific interest in correcting doctrinal error. Like Francis, he and his fellows have emb...
The prestige of the religious orders suffers almost fatally from the anti-clerical spirit of the late 18th century (culminating in the suppression of the Jesuits), and from violent hostility during the French Revolution....
