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english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
What a fascinating and informative book! I would thoroughly recommend this as a research tool, or for anyone interested in Medieval British history. Subjects covered include almost everything, from taxation to modes of travel, education, and medicine, to fashion.
Some of the facts might be surprising: for instance, sidesaddles were not common in England until the 14th century, and so most women rode astride: leather clothing was unheard of as people only used it to make accessories like belts or shoes, and some people in Medieval England boasted running water. Wolves were extinct by the 14th century, and there were no bears.
What was unusual about this book, is that it also focuses on the lives of Jewish communities, who are normally ignored in works of social history. Also, the illustrations were very useful and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. My only complaints were that a couple of details were missed out which, I think, should not have been. The chapter on measuring time made no mention of the fact that the world's first mechanical clock is supposed to have been invented by an Englishman named Richard of Wallingford in the early 14th century: and the section of science made no mention of some of the more famous Medieval English scientific pioneers, such as Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, who some people say discovered refraction.
Don't let that put you off though: this is still an invaluable book on Medieval English society, which I think can serve to replace, or at least complement, some of the older works on this subject. Not bad for two female authors who originally hail from Poland and Latvia.
Some of the facts might be surprising: for instance, sidesaddles were not common in England until the 14th century, and so most women rode astride: leather clothing was unheard of as people only used it to make accessories like belts or shoes, and some people in Medieval England boasted running water. Wolves were extinct by the 14th century, and there were no bears.
What was unusual about this book, is that it also focuses on the lives of Jewish communities, who are normally ignored in works of social history. Also, the illustrations were very useful and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. My only complaints were that a couple of details were missed out which, I think, should not have been. The chapter on measuring time made no mention of the fact that the world's first mechanical clock is supposed to have been invented by an Englishman named Richard of Wallingford in the early 14th century: and the section of science made no mention of some of the more famous Medieval English scientific pioneers, such as Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, who some people say discovered refraction.
Don't let that put you off though: this is still an invaluable book on Medieval English society, which I think can serve to replace, or at least complement, some of the older works on this subject. Not bad for two female authors who originally hail from Poland and Latvia.
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