Monastic reform as process : realities and representations in medieval Flanders, 900 - 1100

Abstract

This book has a long history. In 2005, I was awarded a research professorship at Ghent University that enabled me to devote the majority of my time to researching and publishing on medieval monasticism. I am grateful to Ghent University’s Special Research Fund for this privileged position, initially for five years, then for another five start-ing in 2010. In fall 2005, I spent three months as a visiting fellow at the School of Historical Studies of the Institute for Advanced Study in Prince-ton, New Jersey. Conversations that I enjoyed there with Giles Constable, as well as his continued encouragement, strengthened my resolve to develop my interest in the subject of reform. I am also grateful for fellowships at the Forschungsstelle für Vergleichende Ordensgeschichte in Eichstätt (2008), the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities and Social Sciences in Wassenaar (2009–2010), the Flemish Academic Center in Brus-sels (2011–2012), and the Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Indiana at Bloomington (2012). Since 2010, Ghent University’s Special Research Fund and the Research Foundation–Flanders (FWO) have funded two separate projects under my supervision on the so-called Lotharingian reforms. Preparation for these projects helped me identify the historical and historiographical issues that are central to this book.