The Cambridge History of Medieval Monasticism in the Latin West ed. by Alison I. Beach and Isabelle Cochelin
Lydia Shahan
Reviewed by: The Cambridge History of Medieval Monasticism in the Latin West ed. by Alison I. Beach and Isabelle Cochelin Lydia Shahan Cochelin, eds., West, vol. 2, High Late Middle Ages ( Cambridge: University Press 2020) xi + 568 pp. In West: Ages, editors usher an ambitious project to a [End Page 241] successful conclusion. deliberately posit their as collaborative open-ended, disrupting established narratives posing new challenges for future researchers rather than constructing comprehensive history. However, expert contributors volume have nevertheless created impressive framework such series will doubtless be useful support students, well stable starting place advanced hoping add even more depth color sketched here. Volume 2 is divided into two sections, parts 3 4 which discuss, respectively, long twelfth century thirteenth through end (generally corresponding reformations sixteenth subsequent major changes monastic life). Each section begins with historiographical survey research, followed article introducing significant sources types evidence. These four essays transcend merely introductory, engaging substantively contributions that follow, though each has slightly different focus. John Van Engen's "Historiographical Approaches Long Twelfth Century" (chapter 34) instance, highlights late medieval early modern perspectives from contemporary scholarly emerged, while Elisabeth Lusset Bert Roest's introduction part 4, "Late Monasticism: Historiography Prospects" 50) suggests directions field. Lauren Mancia's "Sources 35) excellent resource students particular. Mancia equally straightforward sophisticated describing varieties documentary evidence, common pitfalls or challenges, interaction narrative hagiographies chronicles. shares goals 1: rebalance study monasticism overreliance on order-history, fully integrate women history relegating them margins, incorporate noncenobitic monasticism, and, above all, proceed position self-definition. Rather producing monolithic narrative, gathered "team" experts "stimulate research" wide range (15). Nevertheless, distinct themes do emerge section. Part 1 frequently describes using language "laboratory" "experiment," practices patterns were regularized consolidated during Carolingian period described 2. this vantage point. considers institutionalization orders over course "long century," considering aspects internal organization deep connections profound impact world outside cloister. Some articles, chapter 47, "The Medical Role Monasteries" Elma Brenner, weave recent research summarizing approach. Brenner summarizes medical standard Regula Benedicti, role medicine within orders, including mendicant monasteries centers lay society, establishment hospitals leprosaria, paying particular 242] attention significance status, gender, age these institutions. Other narrower Chapter 43, "Gender Monastic Liturgy (High Ages)" Gisela Muschiol translated Beach, shows how consistently foregrounds gender. development Mass liturgy hours later both textual material sources. She "gender difference context not academic interest: postures, gestures...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies