The Archaeology and History of Glastonbury Abbey: Essays in Honour of the Ninetieth Birthday of C.A.Ralegh Radford (J. Ranade Series on Computer) - Hardcover

A festschrift of considerable thematic integrity, by the meticulous and original scholarship of its contributors, and by an exceptionally high standard of production... a distinguished body of scholarship which sheds light on many aspects of medieval history. JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
Archaeological and literary research now conveniently brought together... rich fare here for historians, archaeologists and palaeographers alike... a very scholarly, illuminating and interesting publication. BULLETIN CODICOLOGIQUE
The historical, diplomatic and interpretative papers make up an attractive collection... This handsome collection of essays serves both to honour the doyen of that colourful area of study, Dark Age Britain, and to remind us that Glastonbury remains as much a challenge as a 20th-century state of mind. THE TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
Sixteen essays grouped under three headings: `Buildings and Archaeology', `Manuscripts and Texts;, and `Interpretations' The essays are of a universally high quality. ANTIQUARIES JOURNAL

Glastonbury Abbey was one of the great cultural centres of Anglo-Saxon and medieval England, yet this is the first volume of scholarly essays to be devoted to the subject. Written in honour of C.A. Ralegh Radford, the first items are concerned with the physical remains of the abbey, ranging from the place of Glastonbury in the development of Christianity in Somerset to specific examinations of surviving monastic buildings. The main body of the essays explores documents relating to the abbey for evidence of its history and traditions, including the earliest Anglo-Saxon period, pre-conquest abbots, and links with the Celtic world. The final section deals with the cultural life of the abbey: Glastonbury's role in education is discussed and the concluding essay deals with the most magical of all Glastonbury legends its link with Joseph of Arimathea and the Grail. Contributors: PHILIP RAHTZ, MICHAEL D. COSTEN, C.J. BOND, J.B. WELLER, ROBERT W. DUNNING, LESLEY ABRAMS, JAMES P. CARLEY, ANN DOOLEY, SARAH FOOT, DAVID THORNTON, RICHARD SHARPE, JULIA CRICK, OLIVER J. PADEL, MATTHEW BLOWS, CHARLES T. WOOD, NICHOLAS ORME, CERIDWEN LLOYD-MORGAN, FELICITY RIDDY.