monasticism and religious orders

In 16th-century England, lawyer Matthew Shardlake serves Lord Thomas Cromwell, an advisor to King Henry VIII; Shardlake enters a hellish cauldron of personal, social, and political upheaval as he starts to doubt Cromwell's methods.

Describes the Knight Templars, a military organization, between 1120 and 1312 A.D. Focuses on their religious belief that they were fighting on God's behalf and protecting pilgrims and settlers in the Holy Land. Also examines the Templars motivations for becoming part of the order and how they trained and fought in battle.

Describes several aspects of the lives of medieval monks in western Europe, including daily prayers, bookmaking, taking care of the monastery, and their clothing, meals, and hygiene, and also discusses orders, the building of a monastery, monks and nuns in other parts of the world, and famous monks and nuns.

Discusses the people who devoted their lives to giving a rich legacy of art, scholarship and humanitarian service.

Text, illustrations, and primary source quotes provide an overview of the life of a typical nun in medieval civilization, discussing birth, childhood, education, the nunnery, daily life and routines, personal possessions, death, and other related topics, and including a time line, a glossary, and a list of resources.