Kirklees Priory was founded in the twelfth century by Reinor de Fleming,the manor lord of Clifton, West Yorkshire. The Rule was Cistercian and at first very strict, but as time passed, the “White Ladies” – so called because of the colour of their undyed habits – became less dedicated to the religious ideal. Many of them were the unwanted daughters of gentry with no real vocation to the cloistered life. The sisters were often admonished by visiting bishops for indulging in worldy ways, keeping dogs, trimming their habits up, going out dancing–and for inviting men onto the holy premises!
No comments:
Post a Comment