Middle Ages Books

This book has, since it was first published in German in 1986, become the classic on the subject of medieval courtly society and its expression in the literature we all are familiar with, i.e. mainly the arthurian romance. The book deals with all aspects of the courtly life, gives every possible background information and is also a great source for own research, since it draws its information from every imaginable source. On top of that it is well written and a pleasure to read. As a medieval historian I highly recommend this book to anybody who has a professional or private interest in the culture of the middle ages.

Oy, this series is expensive! But after seeing one of them in the local library, I bought this one for my children. The text is pretty good, though it could be a bit more concise (and a bit more lively). The art & recreation chapter had a bit of confusion as far as music (eg. troubadours were typically composers as well as poets, and there is no mention of the ever popular shawms & sacbuts of the period, or -an instrument many children would be familiar with from music class - the recorder family. Or... no, I'll stop here). But the sophisticated craft ideas are what make this book shine, and more than remedy any other deficiency. And, all the illustrations are photographs of real objects or places or illustrations from primary sources (Hooray! No wierd Victorian impressions of the Middle Ages).
Mind you, some of the activities will take more than an afternoon, like the model townhouse out of shoeboxes, or the fortified gate (with a working gate!) Others will take less time, but still give a worthy product, such as making a purse with medieval 'coins' or the lantern. I question a bit the making of a hornbook as the craft for the Education chapter, as the hornbook is not used (as far as we know) until the very latter part of the middle ages(though it is a good project based on an authentic piece), and the making of 'trencher bread' in a fashion that is really more descriptive of a bannock (trenchers should be cut square off of a loaf). And the psaltery, really a very attractive model, needs to have the strings raised over the sounding board or else it will not sound well(if you do this craft, this would be easily done by placing a thin strip of wood or dowel on either side of the box).
But, overall, I commend the authors for the clever and attractive - and most important, authentic in appearance - crafts presented. I also commend the utility of these activities for both boys *and* girls -- too often girls get left behind in studies of the middle ages because they really aren't interested in knights, and armor, and weapons and all that stuff... but see your girls' eyes light up when they see the miniature townhouse and furniture -including a charming little hearth- they can make!

I had been wanting to read this book for years, as it was sited in a truly amizing number of articles, essays, lectures and books. It was quite difficult to come by but was worth the wait! I found that when I was able to settle into the voice of the author, it was a fascinating and satisfying. I wish there were more out there like this! This is not, however, Oprah-fuzzy reading. It is a very academic book and has high expectations of its readers. How refreshing.

Housely studies the history of religious violence in illuminating detail. In his long-term view, the periods of violent intolerance appear surprisingly rare. Before the crusader wars began (in 1095), it was highly unusual for the church to kill "unorthodox" parishioners. Before the 1100s, most clergymen were content to preach and offer Mass, calling on local sinners to repent and believe. Unbelief was common in almost every parish, but heresy was of little concern. Lack of faith and general ignorance were not crimes to be punished; it was the priests' task to uplift their parishioners from that sinful state. In preaching to their flocks, the clergymen of that age commonly stressed the tales of Christ's passion and the deaths of holy martyrs. These stories suggested devotion and sacrifice for the church, but also implied reverence for those who loved their enemies, and praise for people who renounced all killing, even in self-defense. Before the witch hunts or religious wars could arise, this whole attitude towards violence had to change. From seeing the church as an organization devoted to pastoral care, leading churchmen had to accept a context of holy war against unbelief. Housley explores, step by step, how this cultural and theological change happened. If the church increasingly authorized warfare against unbelieving outsiders, should it also use deadly force against disobedient parishioners within Christendom? To a disturbing degree, the official answer was yes.

--author of "Different Visions of Love"

This book opens with the death of a husband and wife, leaving their two boys orphans. Two men each take a boy to care for him. The book then skips ahead many years, where the brothers meet in Constance. The elder is the secretary of the chancellor of Paris, and the younger is a squire of the duke of Burgundy. (On a side note, this book helped my with my history time line. The duke of Burgundy at the Council of Constance is the same that in later years condemned the Maid of Orleans to the flames.) The story follows the two young men, with less focus on the younger brother, during the trial of John Huss. Both meet Christ through the events of the trial and burning. Any true story will speak to a heart because it shows true love. True love to a father, a friend, a faith, a family, a lover. This story has them all. I cried more reading this book than any other in a long time.

The end of the first half of the book tells us that Armande, the younger brother, will follow Christ all his days, although he will always remain a man of his times. John Huss is considered a reformer, but he was truly a good Catholic. He believed in the tenets of Catholicism, including transubstantiation, purgatory (at least in his written works), and did not even say anything against praying to "saints." He spoke against indulgences, and the corruptions of the priesthood, but he was doctrinally Catholic. Even at the Council they found no fault with his doctrine.

The second half of the book follows Hubert, the older brother, as he accompanies John of Chlum back to Bohemia. I had never heard the history of the church in Bohemia, and the terrible persecutions they endured, for the most part because they went farther than Huss. The most controversial thing at that time was that they believed that not only was the bread for all the people in the Lord's Supper, but also the cup. Many lives would have been spared, had people simply said that the cup was not for the people.

The book is well written, and well researched. The author states that all the dialog given to Huss in the book is directly his quotations, and she has the actual words of others in italics. The characters are drawn well, and made me ask myself if my faith is so precious to me as it was to them. I think it is, but if death, not just to me, but to my loved ones, was consequence for holding to the tenets of my faith, would I cling to Christ the way they did?

Definitely one of the best, most edifying novels I have read.

I checked this book out of my college library for a research paper I was working on. I was not at first planning on reading the whole book. But once I started looking at it I found it very interesting and couldn't help myself. I learned a lot I never knew before about female involvement in Medieval art, etc.

The theory behind this important collection of essays is that "the history of medieval power is to be sought in microcosms." These essays demonstrate quite effectively that it can be found there as well. Each essay focuses on a facet of the shifting power relationships in twelfth and thirteenth century Europe. At issue in each are the questions of what or who held the power to command or punish, and how that power was obtained, kept and manifested. This is a truly enlightening book. Of particular interest are the essays on holding power over the truth, as well as those dealing the formation of the nobility into a self-consciously chivalric warrior class. However, all the essays are intelligent and useful explorations into the very nature and meaning of power. Ultimately, this book must be considered essential for any serious student of history, casual or academic.

It's a shame that this great book is out of print. It's hiliarious and will appeal to kids much more than more traditional methods of teaching poetry. I plan on using it as the centerpiece of a poetry unit for sixth grade.

Frankly, I don't understand how any of Judith Tarr's books can ever go out of print. I own everything of hers that I've been able to find, and I read them all on at least a yearly basis, sometimes even more frequently. The Dagger and The Cross continues the story of Aidan and Morgiana, who met in Alamut. Aidan is a prince from the West, and a Crusader; Morgiana is a Muslim, and a former Assassin. One of Ms. Tarr's most marvelous gifts is the ability to weave basic human conflicts into the fabric of history and fantasy, creating an incredible tapestry of wonder and truth. Aidan and Morgiana's problem, the difficulty of reconciling their enormously different belief systems and moral codes, despite their love for one another, lies at the heart of all relationships. This is historical fantasy par excellence; a book not to be missed.

Yuzi's False Alarm (Secret Keeper Girl)T is for AnTONIa (Secret Keeper Girl)Just Call Me Kate (Secret Keeper Girl)Danika's Totally Terrible Toss (Secret Keeper Girl)

Dannah Gresh and her team of authors have totally captivated myself and my almost 8 year old daughter with their new Secret Keeper Girl Series. We are having so much fun reading together and talking about the "stuff" that is going on in her world. This is a terrific avenue for us to share and chat about what is going on and how we can work together. We are already making a list of her friends to start a Secret Keeper Girl Club. The books are very easy to read and understand and are affordable. Check out Dannah's website at [..] or [...]......we found a ton of information to help us along this journey.