Just to get this out since you asked it up front--
"What is an abbey? I know I have some British folk in my subscriber lists, and to this American mind, they are the absolutely best suited to answer this question."
Not british, (sorry!) but I do know an Abbey is a monastery ruled by an Abbott, or if nuns an Abbess. (The same way a County is ruled by a Count). Most Abbeys are benedictine or Cistercian according to an article i found on googling. PROBABLY after King Henry VIII, Abbeys were nationalized and the religious turned out, and they were given to Nobles. "Downton Abbey" probably used to be a religious facility until it was given over for use by the Earl. Can't quite explain why they kept the name but that's where your british readers might be able to answer better.
Nationalized isnt the right word but it was when King Henry started the Anglican Church--he took all ecclesiastical property and turned them into the Kings property, and the Church of England was under the authority of the King and not the Pope. So yes it was a kind of persecution--its part of the broader reformation, was tied to the Act of Supremacy, might be known as the dissolution of the Monasteries.
It was a whole thing! You should watch “a man for all seasons” for a catholic pov of that time, the paul scofield version not the charlton heston version!
This particular course is on the history of literary criticism. We read Austen as we discuss the rise of the novel as a form in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
I'm quite surprised that abbeys aren't in everyday vocab, but that must be my British heritage puzzled by the notion. Scoot has already provided adequate definition, so I won't add to it other than that it's a monastery when run by monks or a convent when run by nuns. There are some beautiful abbeys to visit around England, plus there's one near me here in Melbourne too: https://goo.gl/maps/rh6ZH2STEXUpZYdA7
I haven't read any of these books, but I know of Sarah Waters because of Fingersmith. Have you read that? It was the book that inspired the film The Handmaiden. It's been on my list to read (the film is very good, although a tad contrived by the end), but I think your words here about The Little Stranger make me want to read that, instead.
Nathan! I have to confess that I wrote the question hoping you would answer! We have nothing old in America aside from our forests, and no abbeys that I’m aware of...so people just take up residence in them after it’s sold and the nuns have moved out?
That is a beautiful abbey! (See how quickly I adapt and use it as everyday language? It’s my faux British accent.) It’s obviously haunted too!
I haven’t read that or seen the film. The Little Stranger was made into a film as well but I read they changed the ending in a way that I felt would ruin the story for me at the time. Now I could watch it and enjoy. I will definitely read it now that you’ve recommended. Her writing is superb.
Hehe, I did wonder when you mentioned the British connection 😁
Sorry it took me a little while to get to the post properly.
Well done on adjusting to that everyday usage of abbey so quickly 😉
To be honest, I'm not sure what happens with ownership. Various ones in the UK are part of the National Trust I believe. I don't know who has ownership of Abbotsford convent here, I'd have to take a look.
I'd definitely recommend The Handmaiden, but prepare to be weirded out a bit by it. I'm curious to know how closely it adapts the book. I'm even more curious about The Little Stranger now, too.
😅 You know, I must admit I seem to read everything in the same tone that doesn't have an accent. I have to tell myself to read it in British to make it sound so. (But when it does, it does, yes!)
The exception to this where my brain defaulted to a very British style, was in David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas and the chapters addressed to Sixsmith.
I actually didn't know what an Abbey was, an oversight on my part as an English gentleman.
My first thought was a grand, stately home 🏫
I just looked up that it is the buildings that Monks or nuns occupy.
📚 I have just started reading a Gaslamp Horror novel called Night Demon by an indie author with the badass name Stephen Wolberius! Not very far into it but I like the setting and the lore and his writing. One of my favourite books is a supernatural gothic novel called The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements. Consider those alongside your Lovecraft reading 😆
Just to get this out since you asked it up front--
"What is an abbey? I know I have some British folk in my subscriber lists, and to this American mind, they are the absolutely best suited to answer this question."
Not british, (sorry!) but I do know an Abbey is a monastery ruled by an Abbott, or if nuns an Abbess. (The same way a County is ruled by a Count). Most Abbeys are benedictine or Cistercian according to an article i found on googling. PROBABLY after King Henry VIII, Abbeys were nationalized and the religious turned out, and they were given to Nobles. "Downton Abbey" probably used to be a religious facility until it was given over for use by the Earl. Can't quite explain why they kept the name but that's where your british readers might be able to answer better.
I can’t believe abbeys were nationalized...seems strange...was it a kind of persecution?
Nationalized isnt the right word but it was when King Henry started the Anglican Church--he took all ecclesiastical property and turned them into the Kings property, and the Church of England was under the authority of the King and not the Pope. So yes it was a kind of persecution--its part of the broader reformation, was tied to the Act of Supremacy, might be known as the dissolution of the Monasteries.
Whoa! The dissolution of monasteries?! I’m surprised by my lack of knowledge on the subject but not by the act itself unfortunately
It was a whole thing! You should watch “a man for all seasons” for a catholic pov of that time, the paul scofield version not the charlton heston version!
I only watch Charlton Heston so that’s going to be difficult for me...
LOL! fair enough 😂😂😂
My answer as well.
A totally unexpected corner of your mind that you showed us in this post... cool, your mom must be proud!
Thank you Frank! In real life I’m a class clown and for whatever reason, maybe Jane Austen’s satirical bent, I was feeling light.
Often described as 'going with the flow' I think, not sure that does it justice though...
I’ll be teaching Northanger Abbey later this fall. It’s a fun book to teach.
It’s so fun! What do you teach?
This particular course is on the history of literary criticism. We read Austen as we discuss the rise of the novel as a form in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
I 100% read that in a posh British accent. You planted the worm and it took hold.
Yes! Goal officially reached!
I didn’t have any input on the Abbey thing, but you should definitely write more posts in a British accent. It’s simply smashing.
Quite!
Wonderful writing…
Your words Inspire
Me to read things I normally would not
Thanks for reading ❤️
I take it you're a 'Septic?' (London slang.)
Splendid post as always, Shaina.
I'm quite surprised that abbeys aren't in everyday vocab, but that must be my British heritage puzzled by the notion. Scoot has already provided adequate definition, so I won't add to it other than that it's a monastery when run by monks or a convent when run by nuns. There are some beautiful abbeys to visit around England, plus there's one near me here in Melbourne too: https://goo.gl/maps/rh6ZH2STEXUpZYdA7
I haven't read any of these books, but I know of Sarah Waters because of Fingersmith. Have you read that? It was the book that inspired the film The Handmaiden. It's been on my list to read (the film is very good, although a tad contrived by the end), but I think your words here about The Little Stranger make me want to read that, instead.
Nathan! I have to confess that I wrote the question hoping you would answer! We have nothing old in America aside from our forests, and no abbeys that I’m aware of...so people just take up residence in them after it’s sold and the nuns have moved out?
That is a beautiful abbey! (See how quickly I adapt and use it as everyday language? It’s my faux British accent.) It’s obviously haunted too!
I haven’t read that or seen the film. The Little Stranger was made into a film as well but I read they changed the ending in a way that I felt would ruin the story for me at the time. Now I could watch it and enjoy. I will definitely read it now that you’ve recommended. Her writing is superb.
Hehe, I did wonder when you mentioned the British connection 😁
Sorry it took me a little while to get to the post properly.
Well done on adjusting to that everyday usage of abbey so quickly 😉
To be honest, I'm not sure what happens with ownership. Various ones in the UK are part of the National Trust I believe. I don't know who has ownership of Abbotsford convent here, I'd have to take a look.
I'd definitely recommend The Handmaiden, but prepare to be weirded out a bit by it. I'm curious to know how closely it adapts the book. I'm even more curious about The Little Stranger now, too.
And now for the important question: did this post sound particularly British?
😅 You know, I must admit I seem to read everything in the same tone that doesn't have an accent. I have to tell myself to read it in British to make it sound so. (But when it does, it does, yes!)
The exception to this where my brain defaulted to a very British style, was in David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas and the chapters addressed to Sixsmith.
You heard it here people! I can write British!!!
😁😅
I actually didn't know what an Abbey was, an oversight on my part as an English gentleman.
My first thought was a grand, stately home 🏫
I just looked up that it is the buildings that Monks or nuns occupy.
📚 I have just started reading a Gaslamp Horror novel called Night Demon by an indie author with the badass name Stephen Wolberius! Not very far into it but I like the setting and the lore and his writing. One of my favourite books is a supernatural gothic novel called The Coffin Path by Katherine Clements. Consider those alongside your Lovecraft reading 😆
Thank you so much for these suggestions! I saw your post and bookmarked it for later reading. I’ve never heard of Gaslamp horror!
Hope you enjoy 😁
Based on your post about ghosts, I think you'll like my first proper article on Monday 👻