«

'In six densely packed chapters, Marie-Helene Rousseau covers every feature of the eighty-four perpetual chantries founded at St. Paul’s Cathedral from the mid-twelfth century to their dissolution by Henry VIII in 1548...Rousseau enlivens what could be rather dull material into a very readable survey. She illustrates each of her points with wonderfulexamples from the texts she has mined for the information she presents here. She also provides easily read tables that help to unpack much of her data. Her unifying theme is the chantries’ full and successful integration into the life of the Cathedral, due in large part to the ongoing efforts of the bishops and Dean and Chapter.' - Marilyn Oliva, Medieval Institute Publications

'It is an utterly fascinating book, and the author is to be congratulated on the depth of her study.' - Church Times

'Marie-Hélène Rousseau sets out as her goal the investigation of "the chantries [of St. Paul’s Cathedral] and their impact on the life, services and clerical community of the cathedral" (9). This she accomplishes with a wholly admirable thoroughness and clarity. ... It deserves a wide audience.' Speculum '... an important contribution to historians' understanding of chantries, St Paul's, and the medieval secular cathedrals.' - Southern History

'Marie Hélène Rousseau’s study of the Cathedral’s perpetual chantry foundations is a model demonstration of what riches there are, and of how to interpret them... Overall, this is a wholly fascinating glimpse into a scarce-imagined way of life.' - The Ricardian

'Marie-Hélène Rousseau’s work [...] provides a detailed and meticulously researched piece of historical work that focuses not just on the chantries themselves, but on their management and organizational arrangements. This is a worthy task made much the harder by the fact that both chantries and medieval cathedral have long departed. Here, the value of history in resurrecting the afterlife practices of pre-Reformation London is ably and effectively demonstrated... a timely, well-written, and well-researched contribution to the study of medieval chantries in one of London’s most important churches.' - Catholic Historical Review

'Marie-Hélène Rousseau has produced a meticulously researched, clearly organized, and well-written study that students of medieval Christianity, London history, and Reformation history will wish to consult. Saving the Souls of Medieval London is an erudite and impressive account of the chantries of St. Paul’s Cathedral.' - Journal of British Studies

'... a well researched and wide ranging study.' - Nigel Saul in Church Monuments

»