A Brief History of Life in the Middle Ages is a fascinating look at how life in England changed from the centuries following Viking invasions, through to the War of the Roses. Using a mixture of primary source material and original research, author Martyn Whittock takes the reader on an interesting and informative journey through the towns and villages of medieval England.
Society in the Middle Ages
Settlements both large and small are examined in the first section of the book, with minor and major events playing their part in the success or otherwise of medieval towns and villages. Natural disasters such as the Black Death played a large part in changing the population on a huge scale, but as the author points out, no two areas of the country were the same and the reader should be aware that population patterns and social structures varied across the country.
Throughout the book, Whittock uses modern day comparisons, which have the effect of really bringing the text to life. For example, in chapter four, which concentrates on how Christian beliefs changed and adapted in this period, he explains that expenditure on church construction during the thirteenth century was so great, that it was the modern-day equivalent of every family in England paying £500 per year for a whole century.
Women in Medieval Society
Using religious documents, guild records and wills, Whittock explores the role women played in medieval society and how the female sex were viewed by men. The roles of mothers, nuns, businesswomen, prostitutes and widows are all examined and the author explains the various restrictions which often governed what role women were allowed to play in their own communities.
Widows, for example, were often in an enviable position compared to other medieval women. These women were often prominent in town trades, having carried on a business which their husband had owned or entering a convent to avoid a forced marriage.
Aliens and Outcasts in Medieval Society
The Aliens and Outcasts chapter is particularly interesting, perhaps because this is a subject often neglected by books on this period of history. Whittock explores the role various groups of people who were on the outside of medieval society, played in everyday life. Among those examined are Jews, who were at various times persecuted and even expelled from medieval England, prostitutes, homosexuals and lepers are also included in this section, with Whittock using contemporary sources to explain how these groups of people were persecuted or disadvantaged within society.
Summary
This is a lively and interesting look at medieval England with all its traditions and quirks. The book is presented in an easy-to-read style, with plenty of sections within each chapter, making information easy to find. There is a comprehensive index and the book is attractively presented with a colourful cover and extensive bibliography.
Publication details
Whittock, Martyn A Brief History of Life in the Middle Ages [Constable & Robinson, 2009]
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