well worth a read
A very interesting and informative history of the period. Written a humorous tone but full of little known information. The author clearly explained the themes of the 'middle ages'. An excellent overview for anyone with an interest in this poorly understood period. Certainly represented a very different view of the 1000 years between the fall of the Roman Empire (in Western Europe) and the Renaissance from those commonly presented.
Strongly Recommended
`Propaganda, thy name is History'
This slender volume contains some neatly presented information about life in the Middle Ages (defined as 1066 to 1536), and introduces humour and colour into the mix. Be warned, though, its real value is in providing a panoramic view of the times rather than a detailed snapshot of the events. If you want or need more detail, you'd be well advised to delve in to the bibliography provided.
Still, it's hard not to wonder about why nobody ever mentions King Louis the First (and Last). And which monks were forbidden the delights of donning underpants (and why)? Did medieval people think the world was flat? Not according to Terry Jones and Alan Ereira, who advise that this was an invention of a French antireligious academic (Antoine-Jean Letronne) and the American novelist Washington Irving during the 19th century.
Under the headings of Peasant, Minstrel, Outlaw, Monk, Philosopher, Knight, Damsel and King are vignettes which serve to bring some meaning to these headings and some context to some of the names that readers may remember from history. For example, the stories of Blondel (Minstrel) and William Marshal (Knight).
A fun and entertaining read for those looking to a light-hearted but informative snapshot of the times.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Great Book
I found the book to be a good idea of what Medieval Live was about. I'm going to be part of a local Ren Faire and found the book to be very helpful in putting together a character of a monk.
Entertaining and provocative survey of medieval archetypes
When Terry Jones joined Monty Python, he kept his day job. He is a scholar and professor of medieval studies. Which means, MEDIEVAL LIVES is serious history for general readers, but it is also history dished up in a fluent voice that chuckles over human folly, is appropriately stern at the abuses of power that caused incredible pain and suffering, and returns with awe at the lights of human achievement that managed to flicker in an epoch of constant bloodshed.
Nothing seems to annoy Jones more than the inaccuracies that have circulated as fact about the period he defines as beginning with the Norman Conquest in 1066 and ending when Henry VIII effectively dismantled the old church in 1536. The overarching inaccuracy is that the medieval period was static and primitive. Au contraire says Jones and developed a BBC series taking the 470 years archetype by archetype, looking at how things changed often dramatically in that long period, sometimes progressively, sometimes regressively for the likes of peasants, minstrels, monks, outlaws, scientists, knights, women and kings. He stomped forcibly on the inaccuracies and falsehoods largely promulgated in the Renaissance and Victorian eras. This book is the companion volume to that series. As someone who has not seen the television series, I can vouch that you never miss it. The book is a stand alone triumph.
Jones manages to pull together an amazing amount of material and information in a relatively short book, weaving social, political and religious history. As such, the book is like a survey course, which is not a bad thing at all. To see what Jones can really do when he throws all his scholarly resources and colleagues at a medieval subject, see WHO MURDERED CHAUCER? That is top-notch historical investigation and criticism that skimps on nothing.
The Dark Ages were anything but dark.
Terry Jones always reminds us there are three sides to any story; this side, that side, and then the truth.
Like his book "Barbarians", "Medieval Lives", seeks to undo the one-sided story given in popular history.
We are reminded that history is in fact written by the victors, or in this case, those with the money.
The real story in history is often buried, sometimes quite literally, as shown in the excavations around England that Jones uses as evidence. He dispells the notion of the Dark Ages, as a fabrication of later times, and shows how Medieval Europe was anything but dark. In fact people lived quite rich, and innovative lives.
But more than anything, Jones tells his story in a warm, witty voice that reminds the reader of his wonderful work as a member of Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Medieval Lives is a great read for the historian with an open mind, or for anyone who wants to learn a little and of course, laugh a little.
Vince Cook,
Chicago Illinois
(14 reviews)
