Early English and Gallic Minsters
Margaret Deanesly
It would be commonly agreed that the history of earliest minsters is obscure, or relatively obscure. There no English Gregory Tours: and we do not know as much about life foundations archbishop Theodore Canterbury those his contemporary, bishop Ouen Rouen. hoped, however, it may possible in this paper to throw some light on nature early by considering them against background Gallic Celtic practice at date, while retaining firmly mind contemporary meaning certain ecclesiastical terms, their later, developed use. A point main interest these use term mynstru, monasteria , for dwellings clerks well monks, approximation function two classes foundation. Put another way, whether monks nuns ever had a parochia like mother churches Continent. Minster parish: they are critical words. With reference subject, I wish consider, first, reason lack original charter evidence minsters, secondly, sixth- seventh-century thirdly, position Kentish Thanet, Lyminge, rest; lastly—something seems me clue seventh century—the efforts bishops equate ascetics with clerks, treat them, Maroveus Poitiers said St. Radegund's successor, “like other parishes.”
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