This booklet is written from the notes prepared for the lecture given by Dr Kate Sykes in 2009 on St Gilbert’s Day, 4th February.  Though the term lecture may imply it is meant to be read by academics this is a very readable history looking at the formative years of Gilbert’s life, his travels and experiences seemingly always to return him home to Sempringham where he founded the first community in around 1130 at the church of which formed part of his father’s estate.  So began the Gilbertine Order.  

Kate’s particular interest is in monastic legislation, in the rules and statues which set out and regulated the distinctive structure of the order, but here she writes more generally about the life of the founder of the Gilbertine Order and the local-boy-made-good, Gilbert of Sempringham.  She examines his life and career in the context of three places namely Laon, Lincoln and London.  She now lectures in History at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, and is working on a book that examines English double houses in the medieval period.

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