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Central medieval England saw a dramatic rise in the numbers and social influence of hermits and anchorites, those who ostensibly placed themselves outside of society for a life of prayer in the service of God. Tom Licence explores the factors behind this phenomenon, discussing possible Late Antique parallels, as well as the Anglo-Saxon background, and the socio-economic background of the eleventh century, alongside the political upheavals of the Norman Conquest. Ultimately, however, he sees the hermits as fulfilling a specific need in forming a bridge between earth and heaven to mediate for the laity, a place which, later in the Middle Ages was filled by myriad other new means of offsetting sin.