Norwich Cathedral Close: The Evolution of the English Cathedral Landscape (Studies in the History of Medieval Religion) - Hardcover

Gilchrist, Roberta

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1843831732 ISBN 13: 9781843831730

Publisher: Boydell Press, 2007

Synopsis

Winner of a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award What explains the layout of the cathedral and its close? What ideas and beliefs shaped this familiar landscape? Through this pioneering study of the development of the close of Norwich cathedral - one of the most important buildings in medieval England - from its foundation in 1096 up to c.1700, the author looks at changes in cathedral landscape, both sacred and social. Using evidence from history, archaeology and other disciplines, Professor Gilchrist reconstructs both the landscape and buildings of the close, and the transformations in their use and meaning over time. Much emphasis is placed on the layout and the ways in which buildings and spaces were used and perceived by different groups. Patterns observed at Norwich are then placed in the context of other cathedral priories, allowing a broader picture to emerge of the development of the English cathedral landscape over six centuries. ROBERTA GILCHRIST is Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading and President of the Society for Medieval Archaeology. From 1993 to 2005 she was Archaeologist to Norwich Cathedral. She has published extensively on medieval monasticism and social archaeology.

About this title

Review:

Given its complementary verbal and illustrative wealth as well as its historical, archival, archaeological, and architectural historical breadth, this is a consequential book that deserves to be broadly consulted. SPECULUM This splendid book is groundbreaking and fundamental. Immensely learned but also well written and effectively designed to be accessible to a wide audience. Essential. CHOICE This excellent book is the most detailed treatment to date of such a landscape, packed with detail and new insights. BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY Splendid...triumphantly demonstrates how much more can be learnt not only about cathedral priories but about monasteries more generally. SOUTHERN HISTORY This splendid book provides insights to both the division of a location into sacred, public, private and functional spaces, as well as investigating the various religious and social influences upon changes in a landscape through time. Always an exhilarating read. LANDSCAPE HISTORY (A) splendid new book. (...) An impressive and important book (which) will deservedly remain for many years a standard work of reference. NORFOLK & NORWICH ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER A seminal work of scholarship: a vital reference for all future historians and archaeologists of this and other cathedral-priories. THE CHURCH TIMES Comprehensive and well-produced. THE RICARDIAN

Synopsis:

This work is a winner of a "Choice" Outstanding Academic Title Award. What explains the layout of the cathedral and its close? What ideas and beliefs shaped this familiar landscape? Through this pioneering study of the development of Norwich cathedral close (one of the most important buildings in medieval England) from its foundation in 1096 up to c.1700, the author looks at changes in cathedral landscape, both sacred and social. Using evidence from history, archaeology and other disciplines, Professor Gilchrist reconstructs both the landscape and buildings of the close, and the transformations in their use and meaning over time. Much emphasis is placed on the layout and the ways in which buildings and spaces were used and perceived by different groups. Patterns observed at Norwich are then placed in the context of other cathedral priories, allowing a broader picture to emerge of the development of the English cathedral landscape over six centuries. Roberta Gilchrist is professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading and President of the Society for Medieval Archaeology. From 1993 to 2005, she was Archaeologist to Norwich Cathedral.

She has published extensively on medieval monasticism and social archaeology.

About this edition

• Publisher: Boydell Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1843831732
• ISBN 13: 9781843831730
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 316