Book launches and reviews

Southwell and Nottinghamshire: Medieval art, architecture and industry

Southwell Minster and the medieval buildings of Nottinghamshire have received little scholarly interest since the 19th century and the British Archaeological Association Conference held in July 1995 provided a stimulus for a new generation of art historians and archaeologists to examine these buildings. Lectures presented at the conference have now been brought together as articles in a new volume as well as papers written from presentations on site. These studies explore the architectural and sculptural background of Southwell Minster, establishing the sources for its Romanesque crossing capitals in manuscript illustrations and demonstrating the form of the lost original east end from an archaeological analysis of the fabric. New insights are offered into the work of the Gothic masons, examining the connections with buildings in the West Country and the Midlands and, by using the masons’ marks, demonstrating the sequence of the choir’s construction. The intemationally important Chapter House carvings, made famous in Pevsner’s Leaves of Southwell, are also featured. Other important papers consider the abbeys of Worksop and Rufford, the font at Lenton, the crypt at Newark and the two major medieval industries of alabaster carving and bell-founding. Southwell and Nottinghamshire. Medieval Art, Architecture and Industry is edited by Jennifer Alexander and can be obtained from W.S. Maney & Son Ltd, Hudson Road, Leeds, L59 7DL, price £32 paperbound, £43 clothbound.

Sanctity and scandal: the medieval religious houses of Nottinghamshire

A new history of all the various medieval monastic houses in Nottinghamshire has appeared, the first comprehensive account since the Victoria County History at the beginning of the 20th century. The story of each religious house has been written by different authors associated with the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Nottingham. The social as well as the religious aspects of monastic life down to their Dissolution are dealt with, as well as information on the physical remains, where appropriate, still to be seen today. Sanctity and Scandal is edited by David Marcombe and John Hamilton and is available from bookshops or direct from the Continuing Education Press, University of Nottingham, NG2 2RD price £8.95 (plus p. & p.).