Kent was extremely important in the later middle ages. Its location between London and continental Europe; Thomas Becket's internationally famous shrine; its ancient Cinque Ports; and the early development of new religious ideas all make its history in this period particularly fascinating. The essays collected here present the fruits of new research into a wide range of topics, offering insights into all the most important aspects of life at the time. The volume opens with a major survey of Kent's economic history and development during the period in question; subsequent chapters consider agriculture; ship-building; the Kentish nobility and their role in regional and national politics; religious houses; heresy; magic; and the parish church. Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh teaches in the Department of English, University of Kent. Contributors: Mavis Mate, Bruce Campbell, Gillian Draper, Peter Fleming, David Grummitt, Malcolm Mercer, Barry Dobson, Elizabeth Edwards, Sheila Sweetinburgh, Robert Lutton, Karen Jones
Kent was extremely important in the later middle ages. Its location between London and continental Europe; Thomas Becket's internationally famous shrine; its ancient Cinque Ports; and the early development of new religious ideas all make its history in this period particularly fascinating. The essays collected here present the fruits of new research into a wide range of topics, offering insights into all the most important aspects of life at the time. The volume opens with a major survey of Kent's economic history and development during the period in question; subsequent chapters consider agriculture; ship-building; the Kentish nobility and their role in regional and national politics; religious houses; heresy; magic; and the parish church. Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh teaches in the Department of English, University of Kent. Contributors: Mavis Mate, Bruce Campbell, Gillian Draper, Peter Fleming, David Grummitt, Malcolm Mercer, Barry Dobson, Elizabeth Edwards, Sheila Sweetinburgh, Robert Lutton, Karen Jones