Conclusion

This final section summarizes the main conclusions of the book. It rehearses the number of known tower-naves and their categorization into ‘lordly’ and ‘monastic’ types. It traces their origins in Continental ecclesiastical architecture, and their more widespread adoption following the tenth-century Monastic Reform in England. Tower-naves went on to be constructed by secular elites at their residences, and to influence aspects of Norman architectural practice. The chapter concludes by suggesting directions for future research into this topic, particularly in elucidating further examples of tower-naves and the great potential for scholarship on Anglo-Saxon lordly residences more generally. It is appended with a provisional list of uncertain tower-naves, in the hope that future study can bear their origins out.