Defending the double monastery: aldhelm of Malmesbury's de Virginitate and seventh-century England
Thomas Cramer
The double monasteries of seventh-century England have long been a problematic institution for historical interpretation. purpose this project is an attempt to place these institutions in relation the ecclesiastical controversies England. Archbishop Theodore, who wished reform Anglo-Saxon church, challenged role monasteries. attack on was instituted along gendered lines by evoking religious traditions that called into question legitimacy cooperation between monastic men and women. However, position not universally accepted. Aldhelm Malmesbury’s De Virginitate provides theological defense monastery constructing competing notion gender relations emphasized cooperative relationships. conclusions study show there were conceptions active sexes environment sometimes considered be possible, even preferable.