Hidden Lives: the Nuns of Shaftesbury Abbey

Focusing on the lives and identities of the nuns, this work explores the history of the Benedictine Abbey of St Mary and St Edward at Shaftesbury from its founding by King Alfred the Great in 888 until its suppression in 1539. It highlights the abbesses, often from local gentry families, who held significant status and responsibilities akin to feudal barons. The book includes biographical details of known nuns and abbesses, emphasizing their roles within the abbey rather than its royal connections, offering a unique perspective on this important religious institution.