In Saint Gilbert of Sempringham, 1083/89–1189: His Life and Achievement, David Knowles presents the authoritative account of the life and legacy of Saint Gilbert of Sempringham, one of medieval England’s most remarkable religious figures.
Gilbert founded the Gilbertine Order, the only monastic order to originate in England, uniquely bringing together communities of men and women under a single spiritual rule. Knowles examines:
Gilbert’s early life and spiritual formation
The founding and growth of the Gilbertine houses
The theological and pastoral vision behind the order
Challenges, controversies, and ecclesiastical politics
Gilbert’s enduring contribution to English monasticism
Combining rigorous scholarship with clarity and balance, this book remains a standard reference for understanding medieval religious life and the spiritual imagination of twelfth-century England.
 
About the Author
David Knowles (1896–1974) was one of the foremost historians of medieval monasticism. A Benedictine monk turned academic, he authored several classic studies on English religious history and is widely respected for his depth of learning and balanced historical judgment.