Daily Life in Chaucer's England (Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History Series) - Hardcover

Forgeng, Jeffrey L.; Mclean, Will

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0313293759 ISBN 13: 9780313293757

Publisher: Greenwood Press, 1995

Synopsis

The medieval world comes alive in this indispensable hands-on resource to life as it was actually lived-with authentic recipes, clothing patterns, songs, dances, and games. The first book on medieval England to arise out of the living history movement, it recreates the daily life of ordinary people, not just the aristocracy, by combining a hands-on approach with the best of current research. The how-to sections are all based on original sources and much of the material is made available here for the first time. The most basic facts of life are systematically covered in a readily accessible format organized for easy reference. Clearly illustrated with over 125 drawings, patterns, and diagrams, plus sheet music, it provides a treasure trove of information for classroom and library use and for those interested in recreating aspects of medieval life. The work is organized into sections on Chaucer's World (social, religious, and economic aspects of life), The Course of Life (birth, childhood, and adolescence, education, marriage, and old age), The Cycles of Time (which concludes with a calendar of the medieval year describing the festivals and events of each month), The Living Environment (including houses, villages, towns, and travel), Clothing and Accessories (including instruction for making complete medieval male and female outfits and braiding authentic medieval lace), Arms and Armor (which describes medieval armor from the point of view of the wearer), Food and Drink (featuring a selection of recipes), and Entertainments (songs with sheet music and instructions for authentic games and dances of the period). A chronology of medieval England, a glossary, appendixes with information and ideas on organizing a medieval event, and suggestions for further reading complete the work. This is an indispensable resource for classroom and school and public libraries because it gives readers a true understanding of what it would actually be like to live in 14th-century England.

About this title

Review:

..."provides a useful overview of day-to-day life in a particular period of the past in a similar sequence of chapters. Following a brief history of the era, an overview chapter discusses the social structure, governmental organization, religious establishment, and economy of the period. Subsequent chapters outline the cycle of life, from birth to death, and the cycles of time, moving through the day, week and year as experienced by the people of that era. A final series of chapters discuss food, clothing, and entertainment. The strength of these books is their detailed portrayal of the life of earlier times and the opportunities provided to recreate parts of that life. The text is rich in many details. Recommended for all types of libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin ..."do consider this title if the period is studied intensively or if your school presents a Medieval Faire."-The Book Report "A well-researched volume which draws on many sources of evidence to draw a lively picture of daily life in fourteenth-century England."-Oxbar Books Medieval World ..."useful for anyone wanting to learn about the people from Chaucer's time period. It could also be used as a resaources book for anyone wanting to have a Chaucer night or pre-Renaissance festival."-VOYA ..."an incredible amount of detail about daily life..., such as popular songs and patterns for clothing. ..Black and white diagrams and drawings are clear and informative... Singman's books will be a welcome addition for anyone looking for in-depth material on English life of the past."-School Library Journal "[These] important study guides are recommended for college-level and high school pursuit: they are packed with information and detail and will provide important supplemental reading for history courses."-The Bookwatch ..."plenty of relevant historical and cultural background...Daily Life in Chaucer's England is a celebration of things midieval.This book would appeal to any educator...interested in making the middle ages come to life. This book should help well intentioned devotees of all midieval past avoid the pitfalls of "creative anarchronisms""-Catholic Library World "YThese important study guides are recommended for college-level and high school pursuit: they are packed with information and detail and will provide important supplemental reading for history courses."-The Bookwatch ?A well-researched volume which draws on many sources of evidence to draw a lively picture of daily life in fourteenth-century England.?-Oxbar Books Medieval World ?[These] important study guides are recommended for college-level and high school pursuit: they are packed with information and detail and will provide important supplemental reading for history courses.?-The Bookwatch ?...plenty of relevant historical and cultural background...Daily Life in Chaucer's England is a celebration of things midieval.This book would appeal to any educator...interested in making the middle ages come to life. This book should help well intentioned devotees of all midieval past avoid the pitfalls of "creative anarchronisms"?-Catholic Library World ?...do consider this title if the period is studied intensively or if your school presents a Medieval Faire.?-The Book Report ?...useful for anyone wanting to learn about the people from Chaucer's time period. It could also be used as a resaources book for anyone wanting to have a Chaucer night or pre-Renaissance festival.?-VOYA ?...an incredible amount of detail about daily life..., such as popular songs and patterns for clothing. ..Black and white diagrams and drawings are clear and informative... Singman's books will be a welcome addition for anyone looking for in-depth material on English life of the past.?-School Library Journal ?...provides a useful overview of day-to-day life in a particular period of the past in a similar sequence of chapters. Following a brief history of the era, an overview chapter discusses the social structure, governmental organization, religious establishment, and economy of the period. Subsequent chapters outline the cycle of life, from birth to death, and the cycles of time, moving through the day, week and year as experienced by the people of that era. A final series of chapters discuss food, clothing, and entertainment. The strength of these books is their detailed portrayal of the life of earlier times and the opportunities provided to recreate parts of that life. The text is rich in many details. Recommended for all types of libraries.?-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin .,."do consider this title if the period is studied intensively or if your school presents a Medieval Faire."-The Book Report .,."an incredible amount of detail about daily life..., such as popular songs and patterns for clothing. ..Black and white diagrams and drawings are clear and informative... Singman's books will be a welcome addition for anyone looking for in-depth material on English life of the past."-School Library Journal .,."provides a useful overview of day-to-day life in a particular period of the past in a similar sequence of chapters. Following a brief history of the era, an overview chapter discusses the social structure, governmental organization, religious establishment, and economy of the period. Subsequent chapters outline the cycle of life, from birth to death, and the cycles of time, moving through the day, week and year as experienced by the people of that era. A final series of chapters discuss food, clothing, and entertainment. The strength of these books is their detailed portrayal of the life of earlier times and the opportunities provided to recreate parts of that life. The text is rich in many details. Recommended for all types of libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin .,."useful for anyone wanting to learn about the people from Chaucer's time period. It could also be used as a resaources book for anyone wanting to have a Chaucer night or pre-Renaissance festival."-VOYA .,."plenty of relevant historical and cultural background...Daily Life in Chaucer's England is a celebration of things midieval.This book would appeal to any educator...interested in making the middle ages come to life. This book should help well intentioned devotees of all midieval past avoid the pitfalls of "creative anarchronisms""-Catholic Library World

Synopsis:

This work sets out to make the medieval world come alive, offering a "hands on" resource to life as it was actually lived - with authentic recipes, clothing patterns, songs, dances and games. The book, in the tradition of the "living history" movement, recreates the daily lives of ordinary people, not just aristocracy, by combining a hands-on approach with the most current research. The how-to sections are all based on original sources and much of the material is made available here for the first time. The most basic facts of life are systematically covered in a readily accessible format organised for easy reference. Clearly illustrated with 125 drawings, patterns and diagrams, plus sheet music, it provides a treasure trove of information for classroom and library use and for those interested in recreating aspects of medieval life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenwood Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0313293759
• ISBN 13: 9780313293757
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272