Medieval Archbishops of Canterbury

A new book by Tim Cornish gives a comprehensive account of the medieval Archbishops and their work. Entitled “Medieval Mayfield: Archbishops and Peasants” it shows how the Prelates managed their large households, from the perspective of one location on the road. They were forced to travel in order to feed the 100 or so members of staff. Mayfield in Sussex housed one such hospice and farm, amongst many others. These regional centres in the South East were established to meet their needs, as they moved through the huge temporal estates of the church. Many of the clerics had been to Rome and thus brought a national and international perspective to the inhabitants in the subsistence economy of the remote Wealden forest.

[fg]jpg|Fig 1. The Archbishop’s household on the move (by Andy Gammon).|Image[/fg]

[fg]png|Fig 2. Map of the Archbishop’s manors in the South East.|Image[/fg]

This self-published book is only available from the author at a price of £30 for the 300 page, fully illustrated, book. Contact: tim.cornish@talk21.com or mayfieldtimshistory.org/

“This is an engaging, authoritative and beautifully illustrated book full of original insights, and it shines a much- needed light on this important centre of the medieval High Weald”. Jason Lavender. Co-Director of the National Landscape of the High Weald.

“A remarkable panorama of medieval life”. Professor Robin Milner-Gulland