Description: Life in a Medieval Village, by respected historians Joseph and Frances Gies, paints a lively, convincing portrait of rural people at work and at play in the Middle Ages. Focusing on the village of Elton, in the English East Midlands, the Gieses detail the agricultural advances that made communal living possible, explain what domestic life was like for serf and lord alike, and describe the central role of the church in maintaining social harmony. Though the main focus is on Elton, c. 1300, the Gieses supply enlightening historical context on the origin, development, and decline of the European village, itself an invention of the Middle Ages.
Meticulously researched, Life in a Medieval Village is a remarkable account that illustrates the captivating world of the Middle Ages and demonstrates what it was like to live during a fascinating--and often misunderstood--era.Brief description: Frances Gies (1915-2013) was a historian who wrote or cowrote many books on the Middle Ages, including The Knight in History; Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel; and Daily Life in Medieval Times.
Review Quotes:
"Extremely detailed research takes up in turn food, clothing, farm tools, marriage customs, prayer, games--in short, all conceivable threads in the fabric of village life...A good introduction to the history of this period."
--Los Angeles Times "Los Angeles Times"