Introduction
Emilia Jamroziak|Karen Stöber
As a historical and cultural phenomenon, monasticism always had close connection with frontiers. The earliest monasteries were believed to be founded in wildernesses deserts, thus existing beyond society the inhabited world general. intercessors praying for their patrons benefactors, monastic communities also existed on border between earthly spiritual worlds. In medieval Europe, however, frontier nature of specific manifestations addition founding myths wilderness. twelfth thirteenth centuries expansion Latin Europe East-Central Iberian Peninsula, Scandinavia, into Holy Land Greece opened possibilities extending networks establishing new houses. One most important parts this process was interaction these religious social around them - an that characterised by various shades hostility, cooperation, adaptation local framework. This is first collection consider phenomenon frontiers cross-disciplinary manner. book’s ten chapters explore role maintaining political borders, breaking sustaining linguistic boundaries late as well building stabilizing Christian identities northern southern Europe. Using wide range textual, archaeological, material evidence, international group authors examines mendicant Iberia, British Isles, France, Balkans, Frankish Greece.
Medieval church studies