Communal solitude : the archaeology of the Carthusian houses of Great Britain and Ireland, 1178-1569
This thesis examines the Carthusians in Great Britain and Ireland from an archaeological standpoint and highlights the role of the lay brother in the everyday life of the charterhouse. Using the case studies of Witham Charterhouse and Hinton Priory, the layouts of the lay brothersâ complexes are explored through geophysical survey and comparison with Carthusian material culture assemblages from other British charterhouses. This method of investigation provides a singular view of the lay brother in medieval society and for the first time proposes a layout of an English Carthusian lower house. The thesis begins with an introduction to the topic and gives an overview history of the Carthusians in Great Britain, before discussing in more detail areas of the charterhouse complex - the cell, church and cloister. Following this is a discussion of everyday life for the monks and lay brothers, exploring various facets including death and memory. The thesis then moves on to investigate the wider landscape of the monastery complex, and how the local area was exploited and utilised by the Carthusians. The monksâ and lay brothersâ interactions with secular society are considered through excavated assemblages from
Breeden, Francesca
Communal solitude : the archaeology of the Carthusian houses of Great Britain and Ireland, 1178-1569. This thesis examines the Carthusians in Great Britain and Ireland from an archaeological standpoint and highlights the role of the lay brother in the everyday life of the charterhouse. Using the case studies of Witham Charterhouse and Hinton Priory, the layouts of the lay brothersâ complexes are explored through geophysical survey and comparison with Carthusian material culture assemblages from other British charterhouses. This method of investigation provides a singular view of the lay brother in medieval society and for the first time proposes a layout of an English Carthusian lower house. The thesis begins with an introduction to the topic and gives an overview history of the Carthusians in Great Britain, before discussing in more detail areas of the charterhouse complex - the cell, church and cloister. Following this is a discussion of everyday life for the monks and lay brothers, exploring various facets including death and memory. The thesis then moves on to investigate the wider landscape of the monastery complex, and how the local area was exploited and utilised by the Carthusians. The monksâ and lay brothersâ interactions with secular society are considered through excavated assemblages from
communal solitude archaeology house great_britain_ireland examines great_britain_ireland archaeological standpoint highlight_role lay brother everyday_life using case_study priory lay brother explored geophysical_survey comparison material_culture assemblages british method investigation provide singular view lay brother medieval_society first_time propose layout english low house begin_introduction topic give_overview history great_britain discuss_detail area complex cell church cloister following discussion everyday_life monk lay brother explore_various facet include death memory move investigate wider_landscape monastery complex local area exploit utilised monk lay brother interaction secular society consider excavate assemblage