Pleasures and Pastimes in Medieval EnglandDespite presumptions to the contrary, the daily life of men and women in late medieval England was not entirely one of toil. This enlightening book looks at how people from all classes of medieval society enjoyed themselves when not about their daily chores. What was it that gave delight in medieval England? Professor Reeves presents a fascinating and highly readable survey of the entertainments and pursuits with which people of the time filled their leisure hours. From the rough and tumble of wrestling and jousting to the more sedate pastimes of chess and cards, from gardening to prostitution and from cock-fighting to religious festivals the book describes with entertaining detail activities of which many remain popular today, though often in different guises. Nor does the author neglect the aesthetic pleasures to be had from painting, literature, jewellery, music and the arts. With its many beautiful illustrations, several in colour, this book offers a sumptuous overview of the delights of medieval life, providing both an eye-opener for scholars and an extremely attractive introduction for the general reader to the pleasures of life in England over five hundred years ago. |
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Abbey activity Additional animals appeared associated became birds Bishop Bodleian Library body British Library called canon Canterbury Cathedral church clothing colour common dated death decorated designated developed devotional died display drink Duke early Edward English especially established example fifteenth century flowers four fourteenth century garden gold hand head Henry honour horses household hunting important included Italy John King knights known late medieval later later Middle Ages Latin lived London lord Mary Mass Master medicine medieval England mentioned monks Museum needed Oxford performed person pieces pilgrims plants plate plays pleasure popular powerful probably produced Richard Roman romance rose royal saint shrine side social society sort sport stone story style suggested things thirteenth Thomas thought tournament translation various Virgin wearing Westminster women written York