Contextualising Cistercian Landscapes: Culross Abbey and Territorial Frameworks in Medieval Scotland

The Cistercians of medieval Scotland were operating within an established, and highly durable, system of landscape organisation, one which was inextricably bound up with local traditions and beliefs. Connections and boundaries endured over time, even as their meaning and significance evolved. This high degree of landscape continuity has a number of important implications for our understanding of Cistercian landholding and the question of agency. This article considers the impact on the choice of foundation site, the composition of monastic estates, interactions with neighbouring landowners, and relations with local communities. Using Culross Abbey in Fife as a case study, it is argued that the abbey’s world was shaped by pre-existing secular and spiritual territories. Contextualisation within these broader frameworks is therefore key to developing our understanding of Cistercian landscapes.