Tombs of the Living Dead: a critical analysis of the social construction of gender and space in relation to ascetic anchorite cells of medieval England and Wales c. 1000 - 1500 CE

Author: Bernadine De Beaux

• Thesis download: DeBeauxThesis2024.pdf   [ 50.6 MB ]  Appendix IV - Amalglamated Dataset 1903-2022(2).pdf   [ 1.4 MB ]  Appendix VI - Medieval Religious Houses V Anchorite Cells in England and Wales 1000 - 1500 CE(2).xlsx   [ 157 kB ]  Appendix XI - Anchorite Cells Surveyed for Thesis(2).pdf   [ 118 kB ] 

De Beaux, Bernadine, 2024 Tombs of the Living Dead: a critical analysis of the social construction of gender and space in relation to ascetic anchorite cells of medieval England and Wales c. 1000 - 1500 CE, Flinders University, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

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Abstract

The medieval anchorite’s religious fervour, rules and regulations have been well documented by primary sources, and modern scholars have offered varying accounts of everyday life for the anchorite, as well as basic descriptions of their enclosures. Most of this research, however, focuses on particular anchorites or on general literature surveys of known enclosures. The material form of cells is less well studied.

This research thesis provides a multi-layered investigation, comparison and analysis of the medieval anchorite cell and its social construction of gender and space. It examines how the placement, size, style and form of anchorite cells were influenced by the gender and social status of their inhabitants and, in turn, how the built form of these cells constructed and reinforced particular ideologies of gender, hierarchy, class and religious behaviour.

This thesis represents a significant contribution to the field of anchoritic studies and opens up new avenues for future research.

Keywords: Anchorite, anchorite cells, medieval anchorite, recluse, cells, reclusorium, hermit, religious behaviour, gender, religious architecture, church architecture

Subject: History thesis

Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2024
School: College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Supervisor: Heather Burke