These essays by eleven internationally renowned historians present nuanced profiles of the major social and professional groups--the callings-of the Middle Ages.The contributors focus on attitudes of medieval men and women toward their own society. Through a variety of techniques, from a reading of the Song of Roland to a reading of administrative records, they identify characteristic viewpoints of members of the fighting class, the clergy, and the peasantry. Along with vivid descriptions of what life was like for warrior knights, monks, high churchmen, criminals, lepers, shepherds, and prostitutes, this innovative approach offers a valuable new perspective on the complex social dynamics of feudal Europe.
Very useful discussions of texts, both learned and literary.--Christopher Dyer, Times Literary Supplement
Contributors: Mariateresa Fumagalli Beonio Brocchieri, Franco Cardini, Enrico Castelnuovo, Giovanni Cherubini, Bronislaw Geremek, Aron Ja. Gurevich, Christiane Klapisch-Zuber, Jacques Le Goff, Giovanni Miccoli, Jacques Rossiaud, and Andre Vauchez.
- ISBN10 0226470873
- ISBN13 9780226470870
- Publish Date 18 December 1995 (first published 31 May 1990)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint University of Chicago Press
- Edition 2nd ed.
- Format Paperback
- Pages 392
- Language English