British visitors to Rome in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries provide unique insights of the mediaeval cityscape and its inhabitants. They scrutinize ancient ruins and classical sculpture. They visit the popes and comment on them. The reasons for their visits were varied and their experiences ranged from antique-collecting to being tortured. Memories of Rome lived with all of them and often permanently affected their outlook. It might even prompt the reconfiguration of Westminster Abbey.

Julian Gardner is Emeritus Professor of the History of Art at Warwick University, where he was also Pro-Vice-Chancellor. A former Rivoira Scholar at the British School at Rome, he has been a Visiting Professor at the Universities of California, Berkeley and Harvard, Villa I Tatti, and the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft. His book The Roman Crucible was awarded the Daria Borghese Medal in 2013.