The Heads of Religious Houses: England and Wales 940-1216

The Heads of Religious Houses #1

by David Knowles

This is the first of two volumes, which together form a catalogue of abbots and priors, abbesses and prioresses, of English and Welsh monastic houses between 940 and 1377. This present volume covers the period to 1216, and provides invaluable material for specialists in the period to study the biographies and personalities of the monastic orders, and to date undated documents. First published in 1972, it won international acclaim as a fundamental tool of medieval research. It is now reissued with substantial additions and corrections by Professor C.N.L. Brooke.

325 pages, Hardcover

Published April 27, 1972

About the author

Fr. David Knowles, OSB, FRHistS was born Michael Clive Knowles and was given the name 'David' when he joined the Order of Benedict in 1923. He was a historian and professor at University of Cambridge from 1947 to 1968 and served as president of the Royal Historical Society from 1957 to 1961.

*Note: there is more than one author named 'David Knowles,' however this particular individual is the most widely published.