"Examination of the role of the convent superior in the Middle Ages, underlining the amount of power and responsibility at her command"--Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-231) and index.

1. The meaning of leadership in the medieval English nunnery -- 2. Leadership and lineage -- 3. Guardians of the brides (care of the female religious by bishops, archbishops and their representatives) -- 4. The lady and the monarchs (the relations of the abbess or prioress with king and pope) -- 5. The distaff and the crosier (balancing financial and spiritual responsibilities) -- 6. The clerical view (interpretations of episcopal reports) -- 7. Shifting perspectives (secular views of the nunnery superiors) -- 8. Epilogue (preparations for the dissolution and reaction to its demands) -- App. A. List of nunneries and incomes -- App. B. List of nunnery superiors -- App. C. Election procedures at Wilton -- App. D. Eulogy for Euphemia of Wherwell.

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