Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Vintage Digital (2012), 354 pages
Description
A time machine has just transported you back to the fourteenth century. What do you see? How do you dress? Where will you stay? How do you earn a living and how much are you paid? What sort of food will you be offered by a peasant or a monk or a lord? This is not your typical look at a historical period. This radical new approach shows us that the past is not just something to be studied; it is also something to be lived. All facets of the everyday lives of serf, merchant, and aristocrat in this fascinating period are revealed, from the horrors of the plague and war to the ridiculous excesses of roasted larks and medieval haute couture.--From publisher description.
Media reviews
The pleasure of reading Mortimer's "The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England" is its Fodor's-style framework. "A travel book about a past age allows us to see its inhabitants in a sympathetic way," writes Mortimer, "not as a series of graphs showing fluctuations in grain yields or household
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income but as an investigation into the sensations of being alive in a different time." Show Less
Ian Mortimer doesn't hold with any fancy notion about the past being impossible to know. Not for him the postmodern practice of confining historical discussions to the sources and letting "once upon a time" take care of itself. What Mortimer wants is living history, loud and close. In The Time
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Traveller's Guide to Medieval England he sets out to re-enchant the 14th century, taking us by the hand through a landscape furnished with jousting knights, revolting peasants and beautiful ladies in wimples. It is Monty Python and the Holy Grail with footnotes and, my goodness, it is fun.
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The result is a book that, like his biography of Henry IV, fascinates and frustrates in equal measure. By far the best sections are those in which Mortimer stays truest to his conceit, and writes as though his ideal readers really are time-travellers, peeping out through the doors of their Tardis
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at a world which unsettlingly mixes the familiar and the bizarre. He has a novelist's eye for detail, and his portrait of an England in which sheep are the size of dogs, 30-year-old women are regarded as so much "winter forage", and green vegetables widely held to be poisonous has something of the hallucinatory quality of science-fiction.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member lunacat
The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England does exactly what it says on the tin. Written in a light hearted and informative way, it gives facts in a really interesting style, looking at how we in the 21st century would find life in the 14th, and dispelling some myths along the way.
With chapters
I really enjoyed this, and I'm not someone who gets on very well with non-fiction books. This was written in such an interesting and fun way that I didn't feel that I was 'learning' or getting bogged down in facts.
Admittedly my attention wavered slightly at times, but only when reading about parts of society that I have absolutely no interest in, then or now. It also put points across in a way I had never thought of them before, as the author challenges us to look at life as the 14th century person did, as opposed to tainting it with 21st century ideals and expectations.
An interesting and enjoyable look at the 14th century, written in a unique style.
With chapters
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on money, clothing, law, justice, buildings etc, a nice overview is created on what life is actually like, written as if we were visiting another country as opposed to going back in time. It also provides information for the whole of society, ranging from the King right down to the lowliest beggar, so the picture painted is truly complete.I really enjoyed this, and I'm not someone who gets on very well with non-fiction books. This was written in such an interesting and fun way that I didn't feel that I was 'learning' or getting bogged down in facts.
Admittedly my attention wavered slightly at times, but only when reading about parts of society that I have absolutely no interest in, then or now. It also put points across in a way I had never thought of them before, as the author challenges us to look at life as the 14th century person did, as opposed to tainting it with 21st century ideals and expectations.
An interesting and enjoyable look at the 14th century, written in a unique style.
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LibraryThing member janeajones
This is an era I'm quite familiar with -- at least on the literary side -- so there was a lot of familiar information here to me. I should mention that my husband, who is NOT a medievalist, read the book before I did and found it absolutely fascinating.
I skimmed through some of it and picked up
First of all -- it's very accurate. If you are interested in how people lived in the 14th century, this book will give you great insight into such various matters as clothing, hygiene, medicine, the workings of the legal system, food, and entertainment. Mortimer doesn't focus on the nobility, as so many historical novels do, but covers the range from the villeins (the laborers tied to estates) to the aristocracy -- and everyone in between.
The 14th c. was a crucial turning point for Britain and Europe -- it was the century in which the plague took its greatest toll. The estimated population of England in 1300 was 5 million; in 1400, it was 2.5 million. According to Mortimer, it was not until the 1630s that the population would again reach 5 million. Obviously the effects upon society and the social order were seismic. Mortimer's discussion of these effects were what I found most interesting about the book.
The writing style is chatty and informal -- popular social history. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the period or the literature that came from it -- Chaucer, the Gawain poet, Langland and Gower.
I skimmed through some of it and picked up
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and set it down as I was preoccupied with starting classes the last couple of weeks.First of all -- it's very accurate. If you are interested in how people lived in the 14th century, this book will give you great insight into such various matters as clothing, hygiene, medicine, the workings of the legal system, food, and entertainment. Mortimer doesn't focus on the nobility, as so many historical novels do, but covers the range from the villeins (the laborers tied to estates) to the aristocracy -- and everyone in between.
The 14th c. was a crucial turning point for Britain and Europe -- it was the century in which the plague took its greatest toll. The estimated population of England in 1300 was 5 million; in 1400, it was 2.5 million. According to Mortimer, it was not until the 1630s that the population would again reach 5 million. Obviously the effects upon society and the social order were seismic. Mortimer's discussion of these effects were what I found most interesting about the book.
The writing style is chatty and informal -- popular social history. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in the period or the literature that came from it -- Chaucer, the Gawain poet, Langland and Gower.
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LibraryThing member jcbrunner
An outstanding introduction to life in Medieval England. The 14th century comes to life in all aspects. Following the common guidebook structure, the author presents the landscape, the people, the medieval character, basic essentials, what to wear, traveling, where to stay, what to eat and drink,
Overall, it is an eminently readable book that offers the interested reader an excellent first look at English medieval life. If I had to advise someone about good starter books about the 14th century, this would be my first pick, followed by Tuchman's A Distant Mirror. The public seems to agree as the book's cover has inspired a whole range of books that want to surf on that wave.
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health and hygiene, the law and what to do. Only the last section is a bit short. A real travel guide would not have missed to illustrate the buildings with floor plans and pictures. Some remarks about near-abroad attractions in Wales, Scotland and Aquitaine would also have been welcome for the enterprising traveler.Overall, it is an eminently readable book that offers the interested reader an excellent first look at English medieval life. If I had to advise someone about good starter books about the 14th century, this would be my first pick, followed by Tuchman's A Distant Mirror. The public seems to agree as the book's cover has inspired a whole range of books that want to surf on that wave.
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LibraryThing member Mothwing
This is not so much any "time traveller"'s guide to England, but a man's guide to medieval England. This bias permeates the entire book and rather spoilt the Finisheding experience for me.
This books is written as a guide to provide virtual time travellers with an account of what they would
I loved it in spite of the bias, as the style and the accounts of everyday life are so incredibly vivid and well-written. The only thing I had qualms with were his presentation of matters of gender, as his accounts on the gender politics of the time may be accurate, but the way he presents his data it is rather annoying, especially when he starts going into detail about why he believes that men were also oppressed at the time. Still, his detailed accounts on time-keeping, the social order, etiquette and cleanliness make this book a very good Finished, and the detailed input do not interfere with the Finisheding experience due to the set-up of this book as a guide. Very recommendable!
This books is written as a guide to provide virtual time travellers with an account of what they would
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encounter if they travelled back into the fourteenth century. I loved it in spite of the bias, as the style and the accounts of everyday life are so incredibly vivid and well-written. The only thing I had qualms with were his presentation of matters of gender, as his accounts on the gender politics of the time may be accurate, but the way he presents his data it is rather annoying, especially when he starts going into detail about why he believes that men were also oppressed at the time. Still, his detailed accounts on time-keeping, the social order, etiquette and cleanliness make this book a very good Finished, and the detailed input do not interfere with the Finisheding experience due to the set-up of this book as a guide. Very recommendable!
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LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
There is a lot of good material in here and it was fun to read. BUT
The author is a man and writes for men. Now and then he admits that there were women around back then, but it doesn't occur to him that a woman might want to time travel.
The idea of this being a guide book is a very thin veneer that
The author is a man and writes for men. Now and then he admits that there were women around back then, but it doesn't occur to him that a woman might want to time travel.
The idea of this being a guide book is a very thin veneer that
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gets forgotten as soon as he gets into the material he wants to share. So much so that when he next brings it up it comes as a shock. Show Less
LibraryThing member Matke
This is a great way to learn what everyday life was like back in Chaucer's time. Mortimer uses the enjoyable conceit of presenting a travel guide to provide a ton of information in an easy-to-take fashion.
There are nodry-as-dust lists of rulers or daily chores of the peasants here. Instead,
I was fascinated by the descriptions of medical treatment, the food and drink, and oddly, the medieval love of music. This book would be a great way to start a study of the Middle Ages for anyone over 14 or so.
There are nodry-as-dust lists of rulers or daily chores of the peasants here. Instead,
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Mortimer shows where the traveler could stay, what he might eat and drink, how he would be entertained, and ways to stay out of trouble. All information is factual and based on contemporary records, but it's presented in a most entertaining fashion.I was fascinated by the descriptions of medical treatment, the food and drink, and oddly, the medieval love of music. This book would be a great way to start a study of the Middle Ages for anyone over 14 or so.
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LibraryThing member soliloquies
This is a cross between a travel guide and a history book. You get all the historical information about the 14th century, but in a more accessible manner. Great idea.
LibraryThing member Meredy
Six-word review: Broad, detailed tapestry of 1300s England.
Extended review:
I enjoyed this book very much--one of many things I'd probably never have heard about outside LT. Approaching a depiction of life in fourteenth-century England as a travel guide, telling you everything you need to know to
I hope I retain some of the wonderful tidbits that are so plentiful in this book, such as that the "mystery" in medieval mystery plays refers not to their being about some sort of sacred mysteries of religious dogma, as I thought, but to the craftsmen's guilds that were required to put them on--because "mystery" was another word for "guild." The connection? (I had to look this up elsewhere.) The root of the word has to do with being initiated into secret knowledge--as a guild member would be--and the sense of it evidently evolved to mean any kind of hidden knowledge.
I am reminded of Bill Bryson's work in the way that this book encompasses a very generous scope and follows interesting digressions without ever losing track of the main themes, and keeps it all very lively and engaging while packing in the facts. If only history had been taught this way when I was in school.
Extended review:
I enjoyed this book very much--one of many things I'd probably never have heard about outside LT. Approaching a depiction of life in fourteenth-century England as a travel guide, telling you everything you need to know to
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get along in that environment and understand what you see, makes the content feel very relevant and immediate.I hope I retain some of the wonderful tidbits that are so plentiful in this book, such as that the "mystery" in medieval mystery plays refers not to their being about some sort of sacred mysteries of religious dogma, as I thought, but to the craftsmen's guilds that were required to put them on--because "mystery" was another word for "guild." The connection? (I had to look this up elsewhere.) The root of the word has to do with being initiated into secret knowledge--as a guild member would be--and the sense of it evidently evolved to mean any kind of hidden knowledge.
I am reminded of Bill Bryson's work in the way that this book encompasses a very generous scope and follows interesting digressions without ever losing track of the main themes, and keeps it all very lively and engaging while packing in the facts. If only history had been taught this way when I was in school.
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LibraryThing member AlmaB
Quirky and informative fun. The book drops you off in 14th century England and grants you an insider's view into the denizens of that era. It's more than just a dry listing of events, places and names. It grants insight into the people trying to survive and more importantly to live despite being
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mired in floods, ignorance, violence and pestilence. The author's touch isn't heavy with gloom and doom nor is it judgmental or apologetic. Instead he adopts a fresh matter of fact approach with a wry and amusing voice that makes it easy to follow his lead. The end result is you gain insight into that slice of human history that's germane to your view of the world today..after all - the past is prologue. Show Less
LibraryThing member nmele
I learned a lot of details of life in fourteenth century England that I had not known. Mortimer vividly describes every aspect of life from ale-making to waste disposal. It was all fascinating, making a distant time and place quite concretely visible to me.
LibraryThing member ktleyed
The premise here is to imagine oneself as a time traveler to the 14th century England, as if this is a Fodor's guide. Ever wonder how they "wiped themselves" in medieval England? It covers just about everything you could possibly want to know so that you can get the lay of land, customs and what
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and what not to do. I enjoyed it, though it could be a bit dry at times. Narration was fine on audio. A lot of eye openings facts I didn't know about! Show Less
LibraryThing member Othemts
The book is written tongue-in-cheek as a guidebook of what one would find should they travel through time to 14th-century England. Mortimer is particularly concerned with debunking popular myths and stereotypes of medieval times. Tidbits include a breakdown of fashion, with the caveat that clothing
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styles changed rapidly over the course of the century (with an emphasis on men's clothing showing off the form of the body). Traveling about the country is a challenge since people didn't use maps and relied on spoken instructions of what road to follow. The diet of a peasant may have actually been healthier than that for the working people of our day. And while the Bubonic Plague is the most fearsome disease of the century, the people were also tormented by many other diseases, including leprosy. This book is a fun, popular introduction to understanding everyday life in medieval England. Show Less
LibraryThing member tonysomerset
Another evocative rough guide this time (for me) to living in Medieval England, 14C. Except of course you would not be a rough guide traveller, far too dangerous and threatening in all regards. To be a traveller you would have to have money and at the least connections to a protector. Forget
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historical accuracy and just let mediaeval England seep under your skin. Smell, see, hear, let medieval England stir all your senses and tug at all your emotions. That is what this time travelling book does, recreates it in your mind so you can actually sense it, short of actually being there. Glorious, this is how history should be experienced. This explains our journey and gives meaning to where we are and what we think and do now. We are but a continuum of time. You need this refresher of where we have come from to understand where we need to go. Read it. Show Less
LibraryThing member KatharineDB
An absolute riot to read , as one reviewer said ' the best book on medieval England since canterbury tales.'. I will actually miss reading this book now that I have completed the journey
LibraryThing member isabelx
In addition, the patient should take a medicinal bath. For this the physician's assistant should 'take blind puppies, remove the viscera and cut off the extremities, then boil them in water, and bathe the patient in this water four hours after he has eaten.'
This is history told as if you were
I found the chapter about clothing very interesting, and the colour plates helped a lot in showing how different classes dressed, and the difference between clothing at the beginning and end of the century. The invention of the button allowed clothing to be fitted rather than just hanging straight from the shoulders, and men's clothing changed more during the course of the fourteenth century than during any century before or since. What you were allowed to wear, in terms of cloth, fur and jewels was dictated by both your social status and your wealth, with restrictions in place for all except the royal family and the families of lords worth over £1000 per year. There are also laws restricting what you can eat, with the eating of meat forbidden on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, also creatures such as puffins and beavers counted as fish due to their aquatic lifestyle. The descriptions of typical fish dishes sounded interesting, so a fish-lover like me would be quite happy with three meat-free days per week, as long as I was able to afford fish. Although most of England is less than forty miles from the sea, and lords and abbots had well-stocked fish ponds on their estates, the dietary rules pushed up the price of fresh fish so the poor would probably be limited to dried fish.
Apart from the Great Plague and invention of buttons, it was also the century when the upper classes switched from speaking French to speaking English, and mechanical clocks came into use, leading the length of the hour to become standardised. Before then, hours had been shorter in the winter than in the summer as the short winter day was split into the same number of hours as the much longer summer day. Now that both systems in use, it became necessary to specify if you were using 'hour of the clock' rather than the old sun-based system in which the hour depended on the angle of the sun in the sky.
As a woman your best bet is to be widowed after you have learnt enough to be able to carry on your husband's craft or trade, as widows and elderly spinsters whose parents are dead have far more independence than any married woman, with Chaucer's Wife of Bath being a good example. Life in general was hard, the legal system harsh and the descriptions of some very peculiar medical procedures (treatments for tuberculosis involved sucking milk directly from a woman's breast or a goat's udder, as well as the medicinal bath described above) make it clear that it was not a good idea to fall into the hands of a physician, although you might have better change of survival if you required the help of a surgeon, but there were good tings too. The people of the fourteenth century liked to laugh, they loved music and dancing, watching plays and reading (or being read too).
The fourteenth century was a hard time to be alive, and although you might like to visit it as a time-traveller you probably wouldn't like to stay there permanently, but it was a time of great change so it is an incredibly interesting time to read about. And having read it , I want to read the fourteenth century classics "The Canterbury Tales" and "Piers Plowman", and re-read "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight".
This is history told as if you were
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planning a trip to the fourteenth century and needed to learn what to wear and how to behave in order to blend in. It really brings the period to life, and shows the reader how the people of that time understood their world, rather than filter through modern eyes. A few historical events are mentioned in passing, but this is mainly a social history, although of course the Great Plague (which was not known as the Black Death until the nineteenth century) is covered since that had such a huge effect on people's lives, and led to the end of the feudal system. One thing I really like about this book, is that every section discusses the effects on people of different social class, as well as the differences between life in a town and in the country. I found the chapter about clothing very interesting, and the colour plates helped a lot in showing how different classes dressed, and the difference between clothing at the beginning and end of the century. The invention of the button allowed clothing to be fitted rather than just hanging straight from the shoulders, and men's clothing changed more during the course of the fourteenth century than during any century before or since. What you were allowed to wear, in terms of cloth, fur and jewels was dictated by both your social status and your wealth, with restrictions in place for all except the royal family and the families of lords worth over £1000 per year. There are also laws restricting what you can eat, with the eating of meat forbidden on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, also creatures such as puffins and beavers counted as fish due to their aquatic lifestyle. The descriptions of typical fish dishes sounded interesting, so a fish-lover like me would be quite happy with three meat-free days per week, as long as I was able to afford fish. Although most of England is less than forty miles from the sea, and lords and abbots had well-stocked fish ponds on their estates, the dietary rules pushed up the price of fresh fish so the poor would probably be limited to dried fish.
Apart from the Great Plague and invention of buttons, it was also the century when the upper classes switched from speaking French to speaking English, and mechanical clocks came into use, leading the length of the hour to become standardised. Before then, hours had been shorter in the winter than in the summer as the short winter day was split into the same number of hours as the much longer summer day. Now that both systems in use, it became necessary to specify if you were using 'hour of the clock' rather than the old sun-based system in which the hour depended on the angle of the sun in the sky.
As a woman your best bet is to be widowed after you have learnt enough to be able to carry on your husband's craft or trade, as widows and elderly spinsters whose parents are dead have far more independence than any married woman, with Chaucer's Wife of Bath being a good example. Life in general was hard, the legal system harsh and the descriptions of some very peculiar medical procedures (treatments for tuberculosis involved sucking milk directly from a woman's breast or a goat's udder, as well as the medicinal bath described above) make it clear that it was not a good idea to fall into the hands of a physician, although you might have better change of survival if you required the help of a surgeon, but there were good tings too. The people of the fourteenth century liked to laugh, they loved music and dancing, watching plays and reading (or being read too).
The fourteenth century was a hard time to be alive, and although you might like to visit it as a time-traveller you probably wouldn't like to stay there permanently, but it was a time of great change so it is an incredibly interesting time to read about. And having read it , I want to read the fourteenth century classics "The Canterbury Tales" and "Piers Plowman", and re-read "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight".
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LibraryThing member bragan
Ian Mortimer invites readers to imagine stepping back into fourteenth century England, describing in detail what life was like then for everyone from the lowliest peasant all the way up to the king. What did people eat? What did they wear? What did they do for fun? What was their justice system
Indeed, a large part of Mortimer's goal here seems to be to bring the reader away from the idea of history as something dry and dead and into the realization that the past was full of people who were just as real as us, living lives just as real and ordinary as ours, in a social context that shaped them just as much as our 21st century world shapes us. He does a pretty good job of this, too. The writing is engaging, and both the broad outlines and specific details he offers about this little part of the past are interesting. And the time traveler conceit is neither overdone nor cutesy; it's just a little trick to help put you into the right mindset. Because this is a book that attempts to view the past from street level, so to speak, rather than flying loftily over the larger landscape of history.
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like? How did they think about the society they were part of? To me, this kind of look at the everyday lives of people in a society different from our own has always been the most interesting aspect of history, much more so than lists of kings and battles and important dates. If my high school history classes had been more like this, I suspect I would have learned a lot more, or at least been much less bored.Indeed, a large part of Mortimer's goal here seems to be to bring the reader away from the idea of history as something dry and dead and into the realization that the past was full of people who were just as real as us, living lives just as real and ordinary as ours, in a social context that shaped them just as much as our 21st century world shapes us. He does a pretty good job of this, too. The writing is engaging, and both the broad outlines and specific details he offers about this little part of the past are interesting. And the time traveler conceit is neither overdone nor cutesy; it's just a little trick to help put you into the right mindset. Because this is a book that attempts to view the past from street level, so to speak, rather than flying loftily over the larger landscape of history.
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LibraryThing member Medievalgirl
Dr Mortimer hit upon something of a winning formula when he decided to present an account of 14th century in the form of a Travel Guide. It allows for true to life, down to earth and realistic depictions of people places and things which seem to be ‘in the now’. The ‘turn this way and you
For anyone looking for a lively introduction to the period this is certainly it. The only things lacking in my view was a glossary which would be helpful for people reading the book who had little or no prior knowledge of the period. The use of technical or period phrases which many people may be unfamiliar with and no explanation of their definition or what they referred to can be a little irksome, and make it seem as though the author might simply have forgotten that his audience are not all historians, and so might not know what he is taking about. Some maps might also have been in order.
One of the major pitfalls of this book was that Mortimer does sometimes allow his own opinions and beliefs to colour the narrative, and perhaps to an extent that they might influence those of the readers. Of course, it is scarcely possible for any historian or writer to be totally objective a removed all the time, but is an account of 14th century entertainment or changing tastes in fashion punctuated by Mortimer's apparent hostility towards what the author perceives as religious and moral ‘prudishness’ really necessary?
At times, Mortimer comes across as downright arrogant and condescending when he asserts that only old, fat and/or or religious people would express disapproval of certain things. In the historical context the final designation seems almost meaningless as almost everyone was ‘religious’ to varying degrees at this time- and the logical implication appears to be that either that religious people were in the minority- which likely was not the case, or that the majority of the population of England would not have approved to tight fitting or revealing fashions, and flirtatious dances which Mortimer himself claims was not the case either.
This pervasive prejudice does little to enhance the reader’s understanding of the era, and adds little to the book. It is possible to get past this and to enjoy and learn something from the book nonetheless but this may be something of an issue.
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will see’ style narration could get a little annoying after a while, but generally the book provides a vivid, fascinating and enjoyable depiction of the period through the eyes of the people of the time. For anyone looking for a lively introduction to the period this is certainly it. The only things lacking in my view was a glossary which would be helpful for people reading the book who had little or no prior knowledge of the period. The use of technical or period phrases which many people may be unfamiliar with and no explanation of their definition or what they referred to can be a little irksome, and make it seem as though the author might simply have forgotten that his audience are not all historians, and so might not know what he is taking about. Some maps might also have been in order.
One of the major pitfalls of this book was that Mortimer does sometimes allow his own opinions and beliefs to colour the narrative, and perhaps to an extent that they might influence those of the readers. Of course, it is scarcely possible for any historian or writer to be totally objective a removed all the time, but is an account of 14th century entertainment or changing tastes in fashion punctuated by Mortimer's apparent hostility towards what the author perceives as religious and moral ‘prudishness’ really necessary?
At times, Mortimer comes across as downright arrogant and condescending when he asserts that only old, fat and/or or religious people would express disapproval of certain things. In the historical context the final designation seems almost meaningless as almost everyone was ‘religious’ to varying degrees at this time- and the logical implication appears to be that either that religious people were in the minority- which likely was not the case, or that the majority of the population of England would not have approved to tight fitting or revealing fashions, and flirtatious dances which Mortimer himself claims was not the case either.
This pervasive prejudice does little to enhance the reader’s understanding of the era, and adds little to the book. It is possible to get past this and to enjoy and learn something from the book nonetheless but this may be something of an issue.
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
If you're planning a trip back in time to 14th century England, this is the book you need to read before getting into the time machine. In 11 chapters, Ian Mortimer describes the landscape, the people, the medieval character, basic essentials, what to wear, traveling, where to stay, what to eat and
The book's organization suits it for use as a reference book. For instance, readers researching medieval dress might want to read just the “what to wear” chapter. The color illustrations have been well selected to complement the text. The 8-page bibliography is more substantial than is often found in works aimed at a general audience. My only disappointment is that, while religion is present in several of the chapters, it didn't get its own chapter.
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drink, health and hygiene, the law, and what to do. I read a chapter a day until I had finished the book. I'm not sure I would have finished the book if I hadn't done that. There isn't a narrative thread to pull the reader from chapter to chapter. I'm glad I stuck to my plan because the last three chapters were the most interesting to me.The book's organization suits it for use as a reference book. For instance, readers researching medieval dress might want to read just the “what to wear” chapter. The color illustrations have been well selected to complement the text. The 8-page bibliography is more substantial than is often found in works aimed at a general audience. My only disappointment is that, while religion is present in several of the chapters, it didn't get its own chapter.
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LibraryThing member JackBarrow
Simply brilliant. Brings the 14th Century alive in every sense of the word. If you want to know what the details of day to day life are like then read this book. I'll be using it as a source book for a long time I'm sure and I think I might even have a go at historical fiction now I've got this to
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draw on. Show Less
LibraryThing member xenchu
This book is both fun and educational. I think this is a good place to start if you want to acquire a knowledge of the 14th Century. The book is well-written, informative and covers the subject well.
The only subject seemingly not covered is war. There is no real mention of how war was waged in that
The book, I believe, is worth your time if you have an average or less knowledge of the time. I can recommend this book.
The only subject seemingly not covered is war. There is no real mention of how war was waged in that
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time period. There was some description of armor and longbows but no description of armies or hierarchies of command or logistics. There was no explanation of ransom or how it worked. The book only mentioned that Chaucer was not ransomed.The book, I believe, is worth your time if you have an average or less knowledge of the time. I can recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member Glorybe1
What a little gem this book was! Full of information about the 14th Century and what you would expect if you went time travelling!
It gives information on buildings, food, clothes, the law and the dreaded Plague that was rife in these times.
It is told in an easy to read, lighthearted style and
It gives information on buildings, food, clothes, the law and the dreaded Plague that was rife in these times.
It is told in an easy to read, lighthearted style and
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gives you just a taste of what it would have been like to live then. I would really like to find out more now! Show Less
LibraryThing member baswood
Mortimer succeeds in bringing 14th century England to life. He does it using well researched secondary sources and there are plenty of footnotes to back up his research. It is quite different from the usual social history and for me with my current interest in the period it provided insights. Some
Would I like to visit 14th century England after reading this book - definitely not. Being able to make this sort of decision is surely what all good travel books are about.
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of these might appear obvious but only after Mortimer had pointed them out. The final chapter "Envoi" is a well argued approach to the authors approach to history in this book and one that I subscribe to. I have just finished John Gardners: Life and times of Chaucer, which has a more conventional approach but does have more detail Although much of what Mortimer says can be gleaned from the Gardner book, the difference in approach brings out different points and so for me both books were well worth reading.Would I like to visit 14th century England after reading this book - definitely not. Being able to make this sort of decision is surely what all good travel books are about.
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LibraryThing member SwitchKnitter
I quit reading this on page 80. I picked it up because it looked interesting -- a book on everyday life in the fourteenth century. I really don't like the writing style, though. It makes what should be a fun subject into a very boring text. I'm sad. this had such potential...
LibraryThing member ben_h
Approaches history by asking what it was like to BE in the middle ages. What would be important to you? What would you fear? What would your life be like? The "time traveler's guide" conceit can get a bit corny, but the strategy is sound. An accessible and entertaining book that helps put primary
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source documents (and more academic histories) in context. Show Less
LibraryThing member Steve38
A book of everyday history of the 14th century. What was it like to live there? Not just the kings, queen, nobles that we usually get but the ordinary person. Well done to the author for bringing the 14th century to life and giving us an idea of what it must have been like to live there. Readable,
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enjoyable and informative. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2008