"In England, the year 1110 was one of severe storms, bad harvests and high taxes. May saw an eclipse of the moon, and in June a comet blazed across the sky visible throughout the country for three weeks. It was also the year that Aelred, then known as Ethelred, was born."

Insightful and refreshing in its approach, this biography of Aelred of Rievaulx, England's most famous Cistercian, explores his life in full-from his childhood in Hexham, his time at King David's court in Scotland, through to his entry into Rievaulx abbey as a monk and his subsequent career within the Cistercian order.

Aelred's experiences and activities are placed firmly in context of what life was like in the twelfth century. The book is well researched and informative yet also enjoyable and a pleasure to read.

For anyone interested in Aelred, the Cistercians, early medieval England or life in the twelfth century, this is book is essential reading.