Power and Piety

Power and Piety: The Warrior Monks

It was the increasingly aggressive expansion of Islam, which was spreading to Europe, Africa, and throughout the Middle East, threatening the Christian hold on the Holy Land, whose sacred sites had been visited by pilgrims for centuries, that gave rise to the First Crusade. Two major Military Orders of Crusader Knights then emerged, one to care for the needs of sick and injured pilgrims, the other to provide a fighting force to resist the Muslim advance. The former was the Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, more readily recognised as the Knights Hospitaller, the other the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, more commonly known as the Knights Templar. Both were bound by monastic vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. They left behind remnants of their preceptories, which were essentially administrative centres and often included a church or chapel.

This book in the monastic series is intended to provide a unique fully illustrated record of houses in the British Isles and Ireland, with gazetteer, description and photographs of the most interesting and elaborate architectural remains, and brief historic coverage of significant events. Coverage ranges from the most impressive survivals to a single fragment of wall languishing unheralded in town and country. Monasteries where nothing has survived are also included to ensure a comprehensive overview.

It is to be hoped that our books will kindle interest in an important aspect of our medieval history, encourage a visit when in the vicinity, or persuade the intrepid adventurer that a long journey into Britain's fascinating monastic past would be time well spent.