Thomas Swalwell

A Monastic Life in Books

Series: 

Author:
Anne T. Thayer
The marginalia of Thomas Swalwell (d. 1539) in his many early printed books provide remarkable access to the interests and concerns of a typical late medieval English Benedictine monk. Devout, scholarly, and busy, he studies everything from how to assess tithes on sheep to theological differences between Muslims and Christians. He is passionate about prayer, preaching, and clerical integrity, while carrying significant administrative responsibilities within the Durham Priory. In the early years of the Reformation, his annotations reveal the impact of religious change and his response to it. Illustrated with samples of Swalwell’s marginalia and rare sheets of his manuscript notes, this volume will be a welcome addition to the collection of anyone interested in monasticism, the history of the book, or early English Reformation history.
Copyright Year:
2025
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-72011-4
Publication:
24 Feb 2025
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-72010-7
Publication:
02 Apr 2025
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Anne T. Thayer, Ph.D. (1996), Harvard University, is Professor Emerita of Church History at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Her publications include Penitence, Preaching and the Coming of the Reformation (Ashgate, 2002) and Handbook for Curates (The Catholic University of America Press, 2011).
Preface
List of Figures
Abbreviations

Manuscript Books Owned and/or Annotated by Thomas Swalwell

Printed Books Owned and/or Annotated by Thomas Swalwell

Additional Books Associated with Swalwell (Not Used in This Study)

Introduction
 1 Swalwell’s Books
 2 Marginalia
 3 Plan of Chapters

Part 1: Monastic Life


1 Devout Monk
 1 Monastic Community: Cultivating Humility
 2 Monastic Community: Camaraderie and Strife
 3 Monastic Community: Penitence
 4 Benedictine Worship: Hours, Seasons and Singing
 5 Priesthood and the Eucharist
 6 Durham Lifestyle
 7 Conclusion: Love of God

2 Scholar
 1 Studying at Oxford
 2 Engaging Scotus on Lombard’s Sentences: Book I, Prologue
 3 Engaging Scotus on Lombard’s Sentences: Book I, God and Creation
 4 Engaging Scotus on Lombard’s Sentences: Book IV: Sacraments
 5 Early Biblical Studies: Comestor’s Historia scholastica
 6 Ongoing Biblical Study
 7 Conclusion

3 Administrator
 1 Swalwell’s Offices: an Overview of Duties
 2 Canon Law Volumes
 3 Early Notes
 4 Jurisdiction and Sanctuary
 5 Finances: Tithes
 6 Finances: Mortuaries
 7 Conclusion: Model, Metaphor, and Ritual

4 Preacher
 1 Preaching Styles and Books for Preaching
 2 Importance of Preaching: a Possible Synod Sermon
 3 Sermon Notes: against Irresponsible Clergy
 4 Gospel Annotations: Homiletic Possibilities
 5 Preaching in the Priory: Messages for Monks
 6 Preaching to Laity: Faith and Good Examples
 7 Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good (and Bad) People?
 8 Conclusion

5 Dr. Swalwell, Educator
 1 The Almonry School: Curriculum and Pedagogy
 2 The Almonry School: Grammar and Language
 3 Mnemonic verses
 4 History
 5 Science, Geography, Health, and the Natural World
 6 Teaching Theology
 7 Conclusion

6 Advice on Prayer
 1 Basic Instructions: Organizational Schemes
 2 Basic Instructions: the Lord’s Prayer
 3 Practical Considerations
 4 Mental Prayer and Mysticism
 5 Praying to Saints
 6 Conclusion

Part 2: Religious Landscape


7 Expectations for Clerical Leadership
 1 Clerical Privilege
 2 Sacraments: Vital Teaching
 3 Integrity of the Clergy
 4 Conclusion

8 Religious Others
 1 Orthodox Christians
 2 Jews
 3 Muslims
 4 Heretics: Historical
 5 Heretics: Lutherans
 6 Conclusion

9 Responding to the Reformation
 1 Salvation: Divine and Human Agency
 2 Salvation: Purgatory, Prayers for the Dead, and Indulgences
 3 Sacraments: Eucharist
 4 Sacraments: Marriage
 5 Papacy
 6 Role of Rulers
 7 Conclusion: Consolation

Conclusion
 1 Other Annotators
 2 Thomas Swalwell and His Legacy
Bibliography
Index
This volume will be of particular interest to scholars and students of bibliography, monasticism, book history, the history of reading, late medieval and early Reformation English history, and the history of Durham Cathedral Priory.
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Publisher:
Brill
Language:
English
Pages:
xxxx, 388 pp.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004720114

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