The archaeology of late monastic hospitality
This thesis examines the role of a distinctive group of monastic buildings, those constructed for the use of visitors, placing them in the distinctive cultural settings of the monastery and the surrounding secular landscape. It reconsiders the applicability of the inside/outside, secular/monastic dichotomy, which tends to imply restriction of access to the house, and examines human behaviour in and around visitors' structures, in the form of ritualized hospitality. It is thus concerned with the recursive relationships between monastic and secular cultures, and between individuals negotiating power through their manipulation and structuring of space. This thesis employs an explicitly archaeological research agenda and recording methodology which explores the evidence at both extensive and intensive levels. An extensive survey of surviving gatehouse remains was undertaken to examine the apparent 'liminal' role of these structures. At the intensive level, detailed building recording was undertaken on two complexes, at Stoneleigh Abbey and Gloucester Cathedral, whose primary function was to provide hospitality to outsiders. These are used as primary case studies, and are supplemented by textual, pictorial, and
Rowell, Rochelle L.
Buildings; Abbeys; Monasteries; Stoneleigh; Gloucester; Monasticism; Spatial analysis; Space
The archaeology of late monastic hospitality. This thesis examines the role of a distinctive group of monastic buildings, those constructed for the use of visitors, placing them in the distinctive cultural settings of the monastery and the surrounding secular landscape. It reconsiders the applicability of the inside/outside, secular/monastic dichotomy, which tends to imply restriction of access to the house, and examines human behaviour in and around visitors' structures, in the form of ritualized hospitality. It is thus concerned with the recursive relationships between monastic and secular cultures, and between individuals negotiating power through their manipulation and structuring of space. This thesis employs an explicitly archaeological research agenda and recording methodology which explores the evidence at both extensive and intensive levels. An extensive survey of surviving gatehouse remains was undertaken to examine the apparent 'liminal' role of these structures. At the intensive level, detailed building recording was undertaken on two complexes, at Stoneleigh Abbey and Gloucester Cathedral, whose primary function was to provide hospitality to outsiders. These are used as primary case studies, and are supplemented by textual, pictorial, and
archaeology late monastic hospitality examines_role distinctive group monastic building construct use visitor place distinctive cultural setting monastery surround secular landscape reconsiders applicability inside_outside secular monastic dichotomy tend imply restriction access house examine human_behaviour around visitor structure form ritualize hospitality thus concern recursive relationship monastic secular culture individual negotiate power manipulation structure space employ explicitly archaeological agenda record explores evidence extensive_intensive level extensive_survey survive remain undertaken examine apparent liminal role structure intensive level detailed building record undertaken complex abbey cathedral whose primary_function provide hospitality outsider use primary case_study supplement textual pictorial