The Story

This isn't a novel with a single plot, but the true story of hundreds of communities of women from the late 1200s until Henry VIII shut them down. Eileen Power acts as our guide, using account books, visitation records, and personal letters to rebuild their world. She shows us how these institutions worked (or often didn't), who joined them and why, and the daily grind of managing land, money, and reputation.

Why You Should Read It

Power makes the distant past feel immediate. You'll meet nuns who were brilliant administrators and others who sneaked out for parties. You'll see how these houses were caught between spiritual ideals and the harsh realities of economics and politics. What stuck with me was the sheer normalcy of it all—the petty squabbles, the budgeting headaches, the complex ties to outside families. It shatters the stereotype of nunneries as silent, otherworldly places.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who enjoys social history, women's history, or just a great true story that reads like a novel. It's for the reader who asks, 'But what was it *actually* like?' Power gives us the answer, with warmth, wit, and impeccable scholarship. A foundational and still utterly engaging classic.