Laura Varnam is Lecturer in Old and Middle English Literature at University College, Oxford

'The Church as Sacred Space is a tour de force. Its overall shape is cleverly conceived and Laura Varnam is to be warmly thanked for not only bringing together a rich plethora of Middle English sermons, miracle stories, treatises, and the record of a church foundation, but also sourcing insights from contemporary architecture, material culture, and liturgy… its an invaluable and thoroughly engaging introduction and points the reader to further study by offering a painstakingly prepared bibliography of primary and secondary texts, and online resources.'A Journal of Christian Spirituality'An excellent example of the insightful scholarship that emerges from interdisciplinary approachesto medieval studies... Its engaging prose and compelling insights make it difficult to put down. The book contains extensive chapter endnotes and a comprehensive bibliography. Varnam’s arguments are well worthconsideration, and its interdisciplinary approach to sacred space makes it a study with a broad academic appeal.'Journal of English and Germanic Philology'In this exciting new book, Laura Varnam explores one of the most complex, dynamic, and central spaces of medieval culture: the church. Throughout this rich interdisciplinary study, Varnam urges readers to understand the sacred space of the church as generative and productive, even exuberant.'Speculum

• Introduction: reading sacred space in late medieval England1 The church consecration ceremony and the construction of sacred space2 The Book of the Foundation of St Bartholomew’s Church: consecration, restoration, and translation3 Sacred and profane: pastoral care in the parish church4 What the church betokeneth: placing the people at the heart of sacred space5 EpilogueIndex

Laura Varnam is Lecturer in Old and Middle English Literature at University College, Oxford

'The Church as Sacred Space is a tour de force. Its overall shape is cleverly conceived and Laura Varnam is to be warmly thanked for not only bringing together a rich plethora of Middle English sermons, miracle stories, treatises, and the record of a church foundation, but also sourcing insights from contemporary architecture, material culture, and liturgy… its an invaluable and thoroughly engaging introduction and points the reader to further study by offering a painstakingly prepared bibliography of primary and secondary texts, and online resources.'A Journal of Christian Spirituality'An excellent example of the insightful scholarship that emerges from interdisciplinary approachesto medieval studies... Its engaging prose and compelling insights make it difficult to put down. The book contains extensive chapter endnotes and a comprehensive bibliography. Varnam’s arguments are well worthconsideration, and its interdisciplinary approach to sacred space makes it a study with a broad academic appeal.'Journal of English and Germanic Philology'In this exciting new book, Laura Varnam explores one of the most complex, dynamic, and central spaces of medieval culture: the church. Throughout this rich interdisciplinary study, Varnam urges readers to understand the sacred space of the church as generative and productive, even exuberant.'Speculum

• Introduction: reading sacred space in late medieval England1 The church consecration ceremony and the construction of sacred space2 The Book of the Foundation of St Bartholomew’s Church: consecration, restoration, and translation3 Sacred and profane: pastoral care in the parish church4 What the church betokeneth: placing the people at the heart of sacred space5 EpilogueIndex

Laura Varnam is Lecturer in Old and Middle English Literature at University College, Oxford

'The Church as Sacred Space is a tour de force. Its overall shape is cleverly conceived and Laura Varnam is to be warmly thanked for not only bringing together a rich plethora of Middle English sermons, miracle stories, treatises, and the record of a church foundation, but also sourcing insights from contemporary architecture, material culture, and liturgy… its an invaluable and thoroughly engaging introduction and points the reader to further study by offering a painstakingly prepared bibliography of primary and secondary texts, and online resources.'A Journal of Christian Spirituality'An excellent example of the insightful scholarship that emerges from interdisciplinary approachesto medieval studies... Its engaging prose and compelling insights make it difficult to put down. The book contains extensive chapter endnotes and a comprehensive bibliography. Varnam’s arguments are well worthconsideration, and its interdisciplinary approach to sacred space makes it a study with a broad academic appeal.'Journal of English and Germanic Philology'In this exciting new book, Laura Varnam explores one of the most complex, dynamic, and central spaces of medieval culture: the church. Throughout this rich interdisciplinary study, Varnam urges readers to understand the sacred space of the church as generative and productive, even exuberant.'Speculum

• Introduction: reading sacred space in late medieval England1 The church consecration ceremony and the construction of sacred space2 The Book of the Foundation of St Bartholomew’s Church: consecration, restoration, and translation3 Sacred and profane: pastoral care in the parish church4 What the church betokeneth: placing the people at the heart of sacred space5 EpilogueIndex