Though best known today for his Old English homilies, the Anglo-Saxon scholar Ælfric also composed a Latin 'letter' to his fellow monks at Eynsham (Oxfordshire) containing a detailed outline of their daily and seasonal round of prayer and other duties. The document offers a rare glimpse of what ordinary monks in Anglo-Saxon England were expected to know and do. This 1999 book contains an edition of the Latin letters a textual commentary, and a complete English translation of the work. Dr Jones also provides substantial introductory chapters which establish the exceptional importance of the Eynsham letter for our understanding of late Anglo-Saxon monasticism and liturgy. The book will interest students of early medieval culture, monasticism and Church history.

Though best known today for his Old English homilies, the Anglo-Saxon scholar Ælfric also composed, in a "letter" to his fellow monks, a set of Latin liturgical instructions that offer a rare glimpse of what ordinary monks were expected to know and do. This book contains a new edition of the Latin text with a critical apparatus, and the only complete English translation. Commentary and substantial introductory chapters establish the letter's exceptional importance for our understanding of late Anglo-Saxon monasticism and liturgy.

Eynsham was one of the few religious foundations in England in continuous use from the late Saxon period to the Dissolution. This book aims to rescue this important abbey from obscurity by summarising its history and examining its material remains, most of which have never been published before.

Though best known today for his Old English homilies, the Anglo-Saxon scholar Ælfric also composed, in a "letter" to his fellow monks, a set of Latin liturgical instructions that offer a rare glimpse of what ordinary monks were expected to know and do. This book contains a new edition of the Latin text with a critical apparatus, and the only complete English translation. Commentary and substantial introductory chapters establish the letter's exceptional importance for our understanding of late Anglo-Saxon monasticism and liturgy.

Between the Celtic tribe of the Iron Age—the Cantiaci—and the twenty-first-century inhabitants of Canterbury, three millenia stand during which the city has enjoyed unparalleled fame, particularly since it became the religious heart of the country in AD 597. While ambling through the streets of modern Canterbury, one is able to—if careful enough to do so—get the feel of the medieval city. There must be reasons for that enduring impact of the past and it might be because of the overwhelming wealth of people who have left their mark as well as events of momentous importance that took place there. Canterbury: A Medieval City will take the reader on a trip through time, space and history, as well as literature. It will enable him to apprehend the magnitude of the history of the place and the reasons why Canterbury has become the magnet it is nowadays for people from all over the world, the “mecca for tourists” as it is advertised on some websites. While illustrious figures are dealt with in the articles contained in the book, such as Saint Augustine, Thomas Becket, and Geoffrey Chaucer—who account for the renown of the place and have indeed helped to shape national identity—it is also possible to catch a glimpse of the less notorious personalities and facts that have also worked to give Canterbury its deeply ingrained identity: people like priors, as well as the many different ways which the city functioned.

St Dunstan of Canterbury (909-88) was the central figure in the development of English church and society after the death of King Alfred. The author traces Dunstan’s life beginning with his education at the great monastery of Glastonbury, of which he became abbot. He was a central figure at the court of the kings of Wessex but was banished, partly because of his hostility to King Edwy’s mistresses, and went into exile in Flanders. On the succession of Edgar to the throne, Dunstan was called back to England and appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. During the twenty eight years of his primacy he carried out one of the major developments of the century, the reformation of the monasteries. The author examines him not merely as a prelate and royal advisor, but considers other aspects of his life: his skill as a craftsman, which caused him to be adopted as the patron saint of goldsmiths; his works as calligrapher and artist, some of which survive to this day; the coronation service which he drew up which still lies at the heart of this service for English monarchs; his celebrated musical skills; and above all, the sanctity of his name and the fame of his miracles, which have kept Dunstan’s memory alive. This study of the life and legacy of Dunstan sheds light on the background and significance of the English Coronation Service. Its fundamental shape and theology was established during the tenth century and used to potent effect by Dunstan and those associated with him in the government of Church and society. This special edition marks the Coronation of King Charles III in 2023.