Abstract

The status, feudal ties, and generosity of the founder and hereditary patrons of a religious house played a role in the monastery’s prosperity. The author argues that although smaller Augustinian priories may have been less expensive to establish and maintain than larger ones of their monastic brethren, it was not always the case that the patrons of smaller priories were of lower social status and/or that they were less active in these priories. As is seen with the Augustinian monasteries in the Diocese of Worcester, the patrons of smaller monasteries frequently were of high social position and played an active role in the monasteries under their patronage.

pdf

Share