The fifteenth century was a critical time in the history of the English Benedictine monasteries. On analysis the root of the evil seems to have lain in the monks' wealth. The latitude accorded to individual monks in the matter of private money struck at the foundations of Benedictinism because it bred a spirit of independence, and the abbot's loss of control over his monks was hastened by the growing tendency on the part of the popes to sell any and every indulgence for money. Further, although seemingly so rich and powerful there was a dangerous element of isolation in the position of the great abbeys. Hated by the archbishops and bishops, hated by numbers of their own tenants, they relied too exclusively on the friendship of the King and a few great nobles, a trust which in the succeeding century will be found to be misplaced. Meanwhile the monks, contribution to the life of the times lay still in the realm of learning and pioneer work in literature continued to be done in the monasteries. St. Albans at this time found a distinguished leader in the humanist John of Whethamstede.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:533555 |
| Date | January 1933 |
| Creators | Hodge, C. E. |
| Publisher | University of Manchester |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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