New essays on the monastic life in the later middle ages show that far from being in decline, it remained rich and vibrant. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in the history of the numerous houses of monks, canons and nuns which existed in the medieval British Isles, considering them in their wider socio-cultural-economic context; historians are now questioning some of the older assumptions about monastic life in the later Middle Ages, and setting new approaches and new agenda. The present volume reflects these new trends. Its fifteen chapters assess diverseaspects of monastic history, focusing on the wide range of contacts which existed between religious communities and the laity in the later medieval British Isles, covering a range of different religious orders and houses. This period has often been considered to represent a general decline of the regular life; but on the contrary, the essays here demonstrate that there remained a rich monastic culture which, although different from that of earlier centuries, remained vibrant. CONTRIBUTORS: KAREN STOBER, JULIE KERR, EMILIA JAMROZIAK, MARTIN HEALE, COLMAN O CLABAIGH, ANDREW ABRAM, MICHAEL HICKS, JANET BURTON, KIMM PERKINS-CURRAN, JAMES CLARK, GLYN COPPACK, JENS ROHRKASTEN, SHEILA SWEETINBURGH, NICHOLAS ORME, CLAIRE CROSS

Originally published in 1969 this book considers the theoretical extent of the royal supremacy in the Elizabethan church and examines how far this supremacy was effective in practice. The first part considers the reactions of Catholics and of moderate and more enthusiastic Protestants, both clerical and lay, to a lay head of the English church and the second part investigates the limits of the queen’s authority. The documents, which range from the formal Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity to the letters of individual gentlemen who were guiding their local congregations, reflect the discrepancy between theory and practice. No previous book of this nature tried to determine the limits of Queen Elizabeth I’s powers in the localities in quite this way.

Originally published in 1969 this book considers the theoretical extent of the royal supremacy in the Elizabethan church and examines how far this supremacy was effective in practice. The first part considers the reactions of Catholics and of moderate and more enthusiastic Protestants, both clerical and lay, to a lay head of the English church and the second part investigates the limits of the queen's authority. The documents, which range from the formal Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity to the letters of individual gentlemen who were guiding their local congregations, reflect the discrepancy between theory and practice. No previous book of this nature tried to determine the limits of Queen Elizabeth I's powers in the localities in quite this way.

Essays provide evidence for the vigour and involvement of religious orders in the years immediately prior to the reformation. It continues to be assumed in some quarters that England's monasteries and mendicant convents fell into a headlong decline - pursuing high living and low morals - long before Henry VIII set out to destroy them at the Dissolution.The essays in this book add to the growing body of scholarly enquiry which challenges this view. Drawing on some of the most recent research by British and American scholars, they offer a wide-ranging reassessment of the religiousorders on the eve of the Reformation. They consider not only the condition of their communities and the character of life within them, but also their wider contribution - spiritual, intellectual and economic - to English societyat large. What emerges is the impression that the years leading up to the Dissolution were neither as dark nor as difficult for the regular religious as many earlier histories have led us to believe. It was a period of institutional and religious reform, and, for the Benedictines at least, a period of marked intellectual revival. Many religious houses also continued to enjoy close relations with the lay communities living beyond their precinct walls. Whiletheir role in the devotions of many ordinary lay folk may have diminished, they still had a significant part to play in the local economy, in education and in a wide range of social and cultural activities. Contributors:JEREMY CATTO, JAMES G. CLARK, GLYN COPPACK, CLAIRE CROSS, PETER CUNICH, VINCENT GILLESPIE, JOAN GREATEX, BARBARA HARVEY, F. DONALD LOGAN, MARILYN OLIVA, MICHAEL ROBSON, R.N. SWANSON, BENJAMIN THOMPSON.

This is a collection of specially commissioned research essays by scholars on the government of Tudor England, designed as a tribute from a group of advanced students to their supervisor. Professor Sir Geoffrey Elton, to whom the volume is dedicated, is internationally celebrated, and the most influential living historian of the period. Each essay reflects the special interest of the author, within the broader theme of ‘Law and Government’. The book will be read by many who have been influenced by Professor Elton’s teaching, but who may not necessarily be students or historians of Tudor England.

Two sisters. One disaster. First things first: I'm the bad twin. While my sister, Marcia, has the perfect family in the perfect suburb, I've been making my living as an Internet advice columnist and designing Web sites in my downtown loft. I always thought I had the right answer - and hair color - for any occasion. That is, until Marcia ran up loads of debt and ran out on her husband and kids, and I was left helping to pick up the pieces. Her husband, James, is a lawyer who I hate on principle alone. But for a guy who's just lost his job, his marriage, and his expensive toys, he's keeping it together - and making me rethink my feelings toward him. It's not that he's traded in his conservative suits for sexy jeans. It's that he's not giving up what's important to him, and oh baby, I'm a sucker for a guy who hangs tough. That doesn't mean I?m ready to step into Marcia's designer shoes now that she's gone AWOL. And it doesn't mean I'm going to fall for James' easy charm...not again, anyhow. Besides, I've had a lifelong policy of not being mistaken for my twin and I'm not backing down on that one now - no matter how convenient it might be for a certain sexy (and persuasive) man...

I always get the math wrong. Is the third time the charm? Because I can think of three good reasons not to let Nick Sullivan back into my life. FIRST, I got over my infatuation with him - cold turkey. So what did he have to offer anyway? Mystery? Adventure? A sexy grin and a killer sense of humor? All of the above, if I think about it. Which I don't. Ever. SECOND, he had the nerve to come back After fifteen years, he shows up looking (better than ever) for a place to hide, with a story about being framed for murder. Only problem is, there's no corpse. As if I'd fall for that old line... THIRD, I'm now old enough to know better - and smart enough not to be seduced all over again by the warmth in his eyes. I should give him the boot. But it is murder. And he does need a place to stay. This time it's strictly business. Nothing personal. Just harboring a fugitive. For old times' sake. And just maybe to satisfy my own craving for a little adventure... So what does that add up to? THIRD TIME LUCKY.

Some people will do anything for true love - even if they have to fake it. Jen Maitland had no use for handsome guys with easy charm - until she met Zach. He's the perfect fake date to end her mother's matchmaking scheme before it starts. Besides, he'd probably just use her and leave her like her ex-fiance did. At least that's what Jen tells herself. The only problem is that Zach isn't as predictable as he appears... Zach Coxwell hates commitment, but loves a challenge. Like the pretty bar waitress who turned him down flat for a date - only to invite him to her family's Thanksgiving dinner. Zach knows he can make Jen smile - and he's betting that he can unravel her mysteries - even if he has to do it over candied yams. A tofu turkey, a sister who threatens to have Zach's love-child, the untimely appearance of a knitted avocado - and Zach's discovery of her real motive - combine to turn Thanksgiving dinner into Jen's worst nightmare. Zach, on the other hand, has the time of his life. And when he makes Jen smile, he finally finds a commitment he's willing to make...but persuading Jen to believe him will take everything he's got.

Can you know what you want before you have it? Or do you have to lose it to know for sure? Mild-mannered Matt Coxwell has finally found something worth fighting for. In fact, it's only after he's left his marriage that he realizes he hasn't fought this hard for anything since he fell like a ton of bricks for his wife Leslie. How did their marriage shift from idyllic into idle? And is there any way back? Leslie Coxwell, long rumored to be the most organized working mother alive, is suddenly having a tough time coping. Her job's in jeopardy, her teenage daughter has attitude to spare (well, that's not new), and her formidable mother-in-law has moved in unexpectedly...with two very large poodles. She could juggle it all with the right motivation. Unfortunately her husband, Matt - the motivation for everything Leslie has ever done - turned into a sexy, enigmatic stranger right before he walked out the door. Even better, he's gone to stay with his free-spirited ex-fiance, the one woman who makes Leslie feel as sexy as dirty dishwater. The only good news is that Leslie still has the greatest lingerie collection known to womankind and she's prepared to use it. After all, to give her marriage one more chance, to take the chance on falling in love one more time, she'll need all the support she can get...

J.D. Robb's "Midnight in Death" features Lieutenant Eve Dallas hunting for an escaped serial killer... Susan Plunkett's "Christmas Promises" brings two lovers back together as they search for a missing child... Dee Holmes's "The Unexpected Gift" is a tale of a woman and her son, who discover the spirit of the holidays after finding a "body" in their backyard... Claire Cross's "A Berry Merry Christmas" delivers a special message to a young orphan...