The Chronicles of Nazareth (the English Convent), Bruges: 1629-1793 - (Catholic Record Society: Records) by Caroline Bowden (Hardcover)

About the Book

Documents from the major convent at Bruges shed fresh and illuminating light on its life.

Book Synopsis

Documents from the major convent at Bruges shed fresh and illuminating light on its life.

The English Augustinian Canonesses at Bruges kept records of daily life and key events in their convent from its foundation in 1629. Living in exile, members of the convent were well-aware of their importance to the survival of English Catholicism for women. Keeping full records served to maintain a reputation which would attract influential and wealthy benefactors and well-qualified members; but the Bruges Chronicles are far more than window-dressing. They introduce the reader to members at every level, from impressive community leaders to candidates who failed to live up to expectations and were tactfully nudged out before profession. We meet Prioresses who take on major challenges in fund-raising to pay for building projects, manage disagreements over spiritual direction and adjust to new relationships with secular authorities, the impact of the Enlightenment and finally war. There are some intense personal dramas that unfold alongside nuns who followed the monastic rule to the letter and served the community faithfully over many years. Above all, the the Chronicles reflect the wide-ranging interests of the members, and show clearly that this enclosed community was well-connected with an extensive support network.
The Chronicles edited in this volume, taking the story to the eighteenth century and a decision as to whether or not to return to England, are presented with introduction and full notes.

Dr Caroline Bowden is a Senior Research Fellow, Queen Mary, University of London.

Review Quotes

The Chronicles reveal much about individual lives and trajectories of these nuns . . . [and] give a vivid picture of communal life in the cloister. . . . Caroline Bowden has produced a rich edition.-- "EARLY MODERN WOMEN"

A splendid volume.hard to fault.[E]xcellent.-- "HISTORIANS OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS"

Provides a richly-detailed narrative of cloistered life and a fascinating example of convent writing..It will be required reading for those working on early modern monasticism or women writers, and of great interest to scholars in history and religion more generally.-- "BRITISH CATHOLIC HISTORY"

Provides an invaluable, first-hand insight into the existence of an English Catholic convent in exile, for a period of some 160 or so years.... Bowden's study is meticulous, both in its editing and faithfulness to the original texts, but also with regard to the supplementary appendices.-- "JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY"

This volume makes available to scholars and students a fascinating set of materials that will surely spark much new, valuable research and many contributions to the lively scholarly conversation on early modern English nuns in exile.-- "SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY NEWS"