A revival of religious life for women took place in England in 1845, when a few women banded themselves together under certain rules to devote themselves to charitable works. In 1850 Dr Pusey laid the stone of the first house for Anglican sisters since the Reformation, at St Saviour’s, Osnaburg Street. Communities increased and the outcome of Dr Pusey’s “large conceptions and constructive force of mind,” was the subsequent Oxford Movement, which, as is known, resulted in men taking once more the monastic vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. Under the leadership of the Rev. R. Meux Benson, societies were formed, and in these days the Cowley Fathers, the Community of the Resurrection, and the Benedictine House on the Isle of Caldey are familiar names to many. The spirit of monasticism is the same to-day as in the days of Augustine--the growing need of the Church that the few should sacrifice themselves for the many, and, by their self-effacement, further the spiritual and material work of Christ on earth. Undoubtedly the civilisation of England from the earliest times is largely due to monastic influence. The monks promoted the love of architecture and art in every form; they achieved great things in literature, philanthropy, and agriculture, and furthered the prosperity of the country by their pioneer efforts in trading in wool. Wide-spread relief was extended to the poor, their hospitality to visitors and strangers being well known. In nearly every instance Dugdale’s _Monasticon_ is the authority used for dates of foundation, monetary value of revenues, etc., and every care has been taken to mention the names of the authors from whose writings many valuable quotations have been drawn. [Illustration: LINDISFARNE.] ABBEYS OF GREAT BRITAIN PART I--NORTHERN COUNTIES CHAPTER I NORTHUMBERLAND: DURHAM LINDISFARNE: HEXHAM: JARROW: FINCHALE LINDISFARNE (_Benedictine_) St Aidan, in the 7th century, builds a church and monastery on the island of Lindisfarne; land given to him for this purpose by Oswald, King of Northumbria; the rules of St Columba observed--875, Entirely destroyed by the Danes--1093, Priory church built on site of St Aidan’s church and monastery established by monks from Whitby--15--, Dissolved--1887, 3000 pilgrims visit the ruined abbey--1888, Excavations undertaken which result in revealing some of the foundations.