Britain, France and the Empire, 1350-1500: Darkest Before Dawn

ISBN-13: 9780333690758 / Angielski / Miękka / 2005 / 308 str.

Susan Rose

Opis

This book discusses the history of the major states of North West Europe during the later Middle Ages using the perspectives suggested by recent scholarship. The structure of rural society is contrasted with the growing importance of towns and trade. While the approach is generally thematic, some narrative traces the developments of states within the contexts of dynastic disputes, external warfare and internal revolt. Religion, heresy, the nature of warfare and debates about elite and popular culture all receive attention.

Spis treści

List of Illustrations.- List of Maps, Tables and Plans.- Genealogies.- Acknowledgements.- Introduction.- PART I: THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONTEXT.- The Countryside and its People.- Townsmen, Traders and Unrest.- PART II: SOVEREIGNTY AND WARFARE.- Princes: Ideal and Reality.- Waging War.- PART III: A CHANGING CULTURE?.- The Church, Religion and the Laity.- Culture and Society.- Conclusion.- Bibliography.- Index.

O autorze

SUSAN ROSE was formerly Senior Research Fellow at the University of Surrey Roehampton, UK.

MARGARET L. KEKEWICH was formerly Senior Lecturer in History at The Open University before her retirement.

Blurb

This clear and concise book focuses on the history of the major realms in Northern Europe during a period in which the relatively stable society of the High Middle Ages was shaken by wars, plague and depopulation. Taking into account, and challenging, the findings of recent research, Margaret L. Kekewich and Susan Rose present their own distinctive interpretations.

Britain, France and the Empire, 1350-1500
- contrasts the structure of rural society with the growing importance of towns and traders
- examines the development of the political structures within the various realms
- pays particular attention to the way in which ideals of kingship were or were not fulfilled in practice
- discusses warfare and logistics
- considers the enormous significance of religion alongside the evolution of a distinctive court society and the growth of intellectual interests.

Adopting a thematic approach, and illustrated throughout, this is the ideal introductory guide to a transitional period in European history.