Many people have supported and encouraged me during the writing of this book, and it is a pleasure to be able to record my thanks to them here. My interest in medieval ecclesiastical history was first stimulated at Westfield College, University of London, by Christopher Brooke and by the late Rosalind Hill. Without their inspiration I might never have taken the first steps towards research into medieval monastic history. At York I was privileged to enjoy the company of fellow postgraduates in the Department of History and the Centre for Medieval Studies, and the encouragement of members of staff. I should particularly like to thank David Smith, Director of the Borthwick Institute of Historical Research, who during my York days and ever since has been generous with his time and his support. I have benefited greatly from the opportunities offered by academic conferences and social occasions to discuss matters monastic with colleagues. Among them Brian Golding of the University of Southampton deserves special mention; his knowledge, in particular of the Gilbertine order, and his willingness to share it with me, have enriched my own study. My colleagues in the History Department at Lampeter have allowed me the forum of the departmental research seminar to develop some of my ideas, and I am grateful to them for their interest and encouragement. I should also like to thank the Vice-Chancellor of Lampeter, Keith Robbins, for granting me study-leave in the Autumn term of 1997, during which I was able to complete the writing of this monograph.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to the staff of libraries and archives to which my research has taken me.