Medieval anchoritism has traditionally been studied
through surviving medieval manuscripts like “Ancrene
Wisse”, a guide for anchorites describing how to live
the vocation. The research explores the lived
experience of anchorites through the lens of
archaeology, demonstrating that anchoritic archaeology
not only survives, but can be interpreted even if textual
evidence of a cell at a particular site no longer survives.
A case study of anchorite cells in Shropshire
demonstrates the value of an archaeological
perspective alongside medieval historical and literary
evidence. Using my original archaeological typology
and methodology, alongside archival evidence from
antiquarian researchers, invites new questions and
understandings of medieval anchoritism.
Dr Victoria Yuskaitis graduated with a PhD in Medieval
Studies from the University of Leeds in January 2021,
then held a Postdoctoral Fellowship with the Leeds Arts
and Humanities Research Institute (LAHRI) until July
2022. Her research focuses on medieval English
anchorites and the cells that physically shaped and
defined their lived experience through the lens of
archaeology. Dr Yuskaitis currently works full-time as
an Academic Skills Officer at the University of
Southampton, and also continues to publish about
anchoritic archaeology in academic journals and edited
collections.
