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The Middle Ages Unlocked: A Guide to Life in Medieval England, 1050-1300
To our modern minds, the Middle Ages seem to mix the well-known and familiar with wildly alien concepts and circumstances. The Middle Ages Unlocked provides an introduction to this complex and dynamic period in England.
Exploring a wide range of topics from law, religion and education to landscape, art and magic, between the eleventh and early fourteenth century, the structures, institutions and circumstances that form the basis for daily life and society are made accessible.
Drawing on their expertise in history and archaeology, Dr Gillian Polack and Dr Katrin Kania look at the tangible aspects of daily life, ranging from the raw materials used for crafts, clothing and jewelry to housing and food, in order to bring the Middle Ages to life.
The Middle Ages Unlocked dispels modern assumptions about this period, revealing the complex tapestry of medieval England, its institutions and the people who lived there.
Exploring a wide range of topics from law, religion and education to landscape, art and magic, between the eleventh and early fourteenth century, the structures, institutions and circumstances that form the basis for daily life and society are made accessible.
Drawing on their expertise in history and archaeology, Dr Gillian Polack and Dr Katrin Kania look at the tangible aspects of daily life, ranging from the raw materials used for crafts, clothing and jewelry to housing and food, in order to bring the Middle Ages to life.
The Middle Ages Unlocked dispels modern assumptions about this period, revealing the complex tapestry of medieval England, its institutions and the people who lived there.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 14, 2015
About the author
Gillian Polack
69 books79 followersGillian is a writer and historian, currently living in Canberra, Australia. She intends to count the books in her library soon, when they stop falling on her and otherwise intimidating her.
She was given the 2020 A Bertram Chandler Award for lifetime achievement in science fiction.
She was given the 2020 A Bertram Chandler Award for lifetime achievement in science fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 14, 2015
As one of the admitted minority who deal with the Middle Ages on a daily basis (I perform medieval shows in high schools), I tell you, this book is furniture. Something gorgeously crafted from different woods, with lots of drawers and pegs. The scholar, author or educational presenter can use it to place what they already know in context and guide future research. The simply curious can dip in and come up with such fascinating details as the number of calves that died to make the average vellum bible. Or citations that will take them at least an ell deeper into the topic. Or a lucid explanation as to why the information sought cannot be found. Dust it off regularly, and it will be a joy for years to come.
September 21, 2015
‘Life in the Middle Ages was not simple, nor primitive, and neither is it easy to explain.’
I’ve read a lot of fiction set in the middle ages, and a reasonable amount of medieval English history. While I have some understanding of the period, there are huge gaps in my knowledge. Some of those gaps have now been filled, thanks to this book by Dr Gillian Polack, a historian, and Dr Katrin Kania, an archaeologist, which addresses life in medieval England between 1050 and 1300.
‘This guide is a room with many doors.’
Only some? Yes, because this book is an introduction, supported by a comprehensive forty page section entitled ‘Reading More About The Middle Ages’. The information provided in each section invites the interested reader to learn more by exploring the recommended reading suggested. Interested in religion during the Middle Ages? Dr Polack and Dr Kania have provided an overview of Christianity and Judaism in England during this period. This will be enough information for some readers, but if you want more, turn to ‘Reading More About The Middle Ages’.
How is the book organised? The seventeen numbered chapters address a range of topics including: the people, their life phases, government, religion, the military, craft, leisure activities, the medieval economy and travel.
For me, the most interesting section was on the economy. I enjoyed each section, learning many new things. My favourite fact? Learning that the curfew, a bell rung in towns to remind people to cover their fires at night, took its name from the couvre-feu, a pottery cover with air vents that went on the fire. Above all, I have a new appreciation of the complexity of medieval life, and a better understanding of certain aspects of it.
If you have an interest in Medieval England, if you read (or write) fiction set in this period, this is a book well worth reading.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I’ve read a lot of fiction set in the middle ages, and a reasonable amount of medieval English history. While I have some understanding of the period, there are huge gaps in my knowledge. Some of those gaps have now been filled, thanks to this book by Dr Gillian Polack, a historian, and Dr Katrin Kania, an archaeologist, which addresses life in medieval England between 1050 and 1300.
‘This guide is a room with many doors.’
Only some? Yes, because this book is an introduction, supported by a comprehensive forty page section entitled ‘Reading More About The Middle Ages’. The information provided in each section invites the interested reader to learn more by exploring the recommended reading suggested. Interested in religion during the Middle Ages? Dr Polack and Dr Kania have provided an overview of Christianity and Judaism in England during this period. This will be enough information for some readers, but if you want more, turn to ‘Reading More About The Middle Ages’.
How is the book organised? The seventeen numbered chapters address a range of topics including: the people, their life phases, government, religion, the military, craft, leisure activities, the medieval economy and travel.
For me, the most interesting section was on the economy. I enjoyed each section, learning many new things. My favourite fact? Learning that the curfew, a bell rung in towns to remind people to cover their fires at night, took its name from the couvre-feu, a pottery cover with air vents that went on the fire. Above all, I have a new appreciation of the complexity of medieval life, and a better understanding of certain aspects of it.
If you have an interest in Medieval England, if you read (or write) fiction set in this period, this is a book well worth reading.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
December 16, 2015
So far, I have read up to page 122 of this fascinating book. Bought originally to help me have a clearer understanding of life in the late twelfth century as research for a book I am currently writing, it is proving to be an invaluable source of general information.
I did wonder whether I would struggle with it as I am not good at studying and living with myalgic encephalomylitis leaves me with little energy for struggling through some historical tomes, but this is informative in a style which is easy to read and understand and doesn't strain my brain or my concentration levels. It is a pleasure to read, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in finding out more about medieval England circa 1050-1300.
UPDATE
I took a break from this for a while and just got back to it - it is absolutely packed with useful and interesting stuff. I am learning so much, I just hope I can retain it all, but if not, it will be no hardship to read it again.
I did wonder whether I would struggle with it as I am not good at studying and living with myalgic encephalomylitis leaves me with little energy for struggling through some historical tomes, but this is informative in a style which is easy to read and understand and doesn't strain my brain or my concentration levels. It is a pleasure to read, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in finding out more about medieval England circa 1050-1300.
UPDATE
I took a break from this for a while and just got back to it - it is absolutely packed with useful and interesting stuff. I am learning so much, I just hope I can retain it all, but if not, it will be no hardship to read it again.
January 10, 2018
What a fascinating and informative book! I would thoroughly recommend this as a research tool, or for anyone interested in Medieval British history. Subjects covered include almost everything, from taxation to modes of travel, education, and medicine, to fashion.
Some of the facts might be surprising: for instance, sidesaddles were not common in England until the 14th century, and so most women rode astride: leather clothing was unheard of as people only used it to make accessories like belts or shoes, and some people in Medieval England boasted running water. Wolves were extinct by the 14th century, and there were no bears.
What was unusual about this book, is that it also focuses on the lives of Jewish communities, who are normally ignored in works of social history. Also, the illustrations were very useful and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. My only complaints were that a couple of details were missed out which, I think, should not have been. The chapter on measuring time made no mention of the fact that the world's first mechanical clock is supposed to have been invented by an Englishman named Richard of Wallingford in the early 14th century: and the section of science made no mention of some of the more famous Medieval English scientific pioneers, such as Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, who some people say discovered refraction.
Don't let that put you off though: this is still an invaluable book on Medieval English society, which I think can serve to replace, or at least complement, some of the older works on this subject. Not bad for two female authors who originally hail from Poland and Latvia.
Some of the facts might be surprising: for instance, sidesaddles were not common in England until the 14th century, and so most women rode astride: leather clothing was unheard of as people only used it to make accessories like belts or shoes, and some people in Medieval England boasted running water. Wolves were extinct by the 14th century, and there were no bears.
What was unusual about this book, is that it also focuses on the lives of Jewish communities, who are normally ignored in works of social history. Also, the illustrations were very useful and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. My only complaints were that a couple of details were missed out which, I think, should not have been. The chapter on measuring time made no mention of the fact that the world's first mechanical clock is supposed to have been invented by an Englishman named Richard of Wallingford in the early 14th century: and the section of science made no mention of some of the more famous Medieval English scientific pioneers, such as Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln, who some people say discovered refraction.
Don't let that put you off though: this is still an invaluable book on Medieval English society, which I think can serve to replace, or at least complement, some of the older works on this subject. Not bad for two female authors who originally hail from Poland and Latvia.
January 18, 2022
I think this book is a handy guide to topics of importance in understanding the Middle Ages; from food to clothing to money changing and the economy. What I particularly liked was that it was focused on a slightly earlier period than other books of this type (Ian Mortimer's The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England being an example, which is based on the fourteenth century). This meant the authors sometimes had to be honest about the limitations of the available evidence. I also liked the fact that the book tried to cover the largest minority in England as well, the Jews.
I have a background in the subject but I think this book could have done with more illustrations to help those less familiar with the period. I also enjoyed the format of the bibliography.
I have a background in the subject but I think this book could have done with more illustrations to help those less familiar with the period. I also enjoyed the format of the bibliography.
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April 20, 2020This is a useful introduction. Its a good guide. Definitely a book for dipping into rather than reading through.
probably a good book for basic research with an excellent bibliography for the more serious student
probably a good book for basic research with an excellent bibliography for the more serious student
December 18, 2022
Solid grounding on the society of its period, usefully divided into subject-specific chapters. Will be a useful baseline resource for anyone doing further research on the period, or engaged in creative activities about the same.
December 5, 2017
if you were to enter a time machine and go back to the Middle Ages to live, you'll want to read this book.
October 27, 2019
Brilliant, one of the best books of this year for me.
April 5, 2020
I have a habit of picking up very solid historical information books about the middle ages and reading them from cover to cover. It is a slightly questionable technique, especially since some of them are VERY information dense, but I have great fun doing it.
The Middle Ages Unlocked was awesome, really informative and jam packed with every type of information you could possibly need about medieval England 1050-1300. The time period you choose for a medieval nonfiction book is very important because there are huge changes that happened over what is quite a large period. This was the first one I’ve read where it considered both Jewish and Christian communities as well as slavery in the middle ages, two things I have never seen much info about. There is even information about measuring things! In conclusion, The Middle Ages Unlocked was very readable, sorted into handy sections and filled with information. If you want information on this time period, this is the book for you.
The Middle Ages Unlocked was awesome, really informative and jam packed with every type of information you could possibly need about medieval England 1050-1300. The time period you choose for a medieval nonfiction book is very important because there are huge changes that happened over what is quite a large period. This was the first one I’ve read where it considered both Jewish and Christian communities as well as slavery in the middle ages, two things I have never seen much info about. There is even information about measuring things! In conclusion, The Middle Ages Unlocked was very readable, sorted into handy sections and filled with information. If you want information on this time period, this is the book for you.
May 22, 2017
A light read and highly interesting account of medieval life. Well organised and detailed. Useful reference.
September 14, 2016
A fantastic book to keep on your bookshelf and dip in and out of. Unfortunately I borrowed it from the library and as a straight through read found it rather hard work as it is very fact heavy. For a more entertaining look at medieval life try Ian Mortimer's The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England which covers much of the same ground but in a more readable fashion.
The subtitle about life in medieval England also feels a little inaccurate as it is much more European than that with frequent diversions into French history in particular. Not a complaint but the focus is not as narrow as is suggested.
The subtitle about life in medieval England also feels a little inaccurate as it is much more European than that with frequent diversions into French history in particular. Not a complaint but the focus is not as narrow as is suggested.
November 1, 2015
I was hoping for an interesting read, as it is a very comprehensive book that is organized by different topics from religion, work, food, etc. But for some reason, it's actually very boring to read and doesn't bring the Medieval England period to any sort of life. I was left feeling like I was reading a school textbook instead. I skipped some chapters because they were so dull, such as the administrative functions of government, manufacturing, and laws. There are probably better books on the middle ages out there. Not recommended.
April 15, 2017
This was a difficult book to get through. I took advice and skipped a few subjects that I wasn't particularly interested in but for the most part read it cover to cover. I learned some interesting nuggets and unlearned some assumptions. However what the book lacked for me were examples whether text or picture. There were a handful of pictures in the middle of the book but I found them neither interesting nor helpful. They weren't tied to any particular chapter or example. It would have been interesting to hear about a few actual examples of family/travel/town/etc. Something to add some context to the information provided. I found the additional source books in the back were helpful.
Overall, I think if you need to confirm whether something was actually in this time period, this is a helpful book. If you're looking for an engaging non-fiction book on the period you may be a little disappointed.
Overall, I think if you need to confirm whether something was actually in this time period, this is a helpful book. If you're looking for an engaging non-fiction book on the period you may be a little disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews