The History of Llanthony Priory

The text edited and translated in this volume recounts the first century of the history of the Augustinian priory of Llanthony in Monmouthshire, from its origin around 1100 as an isolated hermitage, through the introduction of the Augustinian Order and the semi-abandonment of the initial site in favour of a more secure location outside Gloucester, to the later twelfth century. The author of the History is a champion of the original community and compares it favourably with the Gloucester house, as well as giving his reflections on the duties of superiors and subordinates in the monastic life and describing and assessing the individual priors. The editorial introduction describes the manuscript, sets the History in context, and advances a theory about its authorship.