This study focuses on religious gilds or fraternities in both the densely settled shire and the sparsely populated fens of Cambridgeshire, from their apparent proliferation in the mid-fourteenth century to their dissolution underEdward VI in 1558, in order to examine social and religious change during the period. Gilds reflected the social hierarchies of their communities, exerting social control and fostering mutual charity in life and commemoration after death; they also made a substantial contribution to the religious and economic life of the parish. Dr Bainbridge examines lay responses to changing devotional and doctrinal patterns through the returns to the 1388-9 survey of religious gilds and surviving gild records; wills, manorial records, poll-tax returns and letters patent supply further information.

Dr VIRGINIA R. BAINBRIDGE teaches at the St Hilda's College, Oxford.