Medieval Britain: A Very Short Introduction [Paperback]

John Gillingham (Author), Ralph A. Griffiths (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 019285402X | ISBN-13: 978-0192854025 | Publication Date: March 21, 2002

A comprehensive and authoritative short guide, this Very Short Introduction to Medieval Britain covers the establishment of the Anglo-Norman monarchy in the early Middle Ages, through to England's failure to dominate the British Isles and France in the later Middle Ages. Out of the turbulence came stronger senses of identity in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Yet this was an age, too, of growing definition of Englishness and of a distinctive English cultural tradition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Gillingham taught history at the London School of Economics, University of London, from 1965 to 1998. His previous publications include The Angevin Empire (Edward Arnold, 1981); Richard Coeur de Lion (Noesis, Paris, 1996), awarded the Prix Guillaume le Conqu�rant for 1997; Richard I (Yale University Press, 1999); The English in the Twelfth Century (Boydell Press, 2000); The Angevin Empire (revised edition of 1981 edition) is forthcoming.

Ralph A. Griffiths has been Professor of Medieval History, University of Wales, Swansea, since 1982. His previous publications include The Principality of Wales in the later Middle Ages, Vol. I, South Wales, 1277-1536 (University of Wales Press, 1972); The Reign of King Henry VI (Benn and California University Press, 1981; 2nd edn Sutton 1998); The Making of the Tudor Dynasty, with R. S. Thomas (Sutton and Humanities Press, 1985; revised edn 1993); The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy, with J. Cann

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019285402X
• ISBN-13: 978-0192854025
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,222 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly readable and surprisingly detailed, April 21, 2008

By 

The Wanderer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medieval Britain: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback)

I am a big fan of the Very Short Introduction series, and "Medieval Britain" by John Gillingham and Ralph A. Griffiths is one of its very best examples. For a book that is just 150 pages long, the authors have managed to fit in a surprising amount of information, covering the entire period from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to Henry VII's accession in 1485. At the same time, however, it is very readable and is broken down into easily digestible chunks.

The book follows a roughly chronological pattern. The first two chapters describe the main political events in the reigns of the Norman kings (1066-1154) and the Plantagenet kings (1154-1272). The authors then move on into a more thematic discussion of matters such as religion, royal administration, law and the economy. From then on political and social topics are interspersed together. By providing the broad overview of events first of all, then fleshing that out with all the aspects which give the reader a real flavour of medieval society, this structure proves very effective. In this way all of the key ideas are tied together nicely. The final chapter discusses the development of Englishness and the concept of England as a distinctive nation - much of which feels very relevant to our modern age.

The text is supplemented by no less than 5 maps and 14 illustrations, as well as a useful chronology of the years 1066-1485, and a royal genealogy, all of which provide some context. The bibliography is extensive, running to some 91 titles which cover virtually every angle discussed in the book. This offers tremendous scope for following up various topics and makes this Very Short Introduction an excellent springboard for studying the medieval period. Finally, the book has a thorough index, always a handy aid to navigation.

Just one word of warning: although entitled "Medieval Britain", this book is very Anglocentric and perhaps "Medieval England" would suit it better, since very little space is given to Scotland, Wales and Ireland. For me, however, this does not detract significantly from what is a very fine book and an excellent introduction to medieval English history (especially at the price it is currently being offered by Amazon). I would definitely recommend it, both for the student and for the casual interested reader.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction, September 14, 2008

By 

Sirin (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medieval Britain: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback)

This slim volume packs a great deal in to introduce Medieval Britain to the reader perhaps not familiar with the period. The book covers both chronological history, focusing in particular on the Kings from William I to Richard III and a thematic treatment of issues such as the development of national identity and the evolution of the peasantry during this period. It was a 400 year sweep that saw the power of monarchs oscillate wildly against the backdrop of growing commercialisation of society, the buds of individual liberty for citizens, the fledgling time or parliament and messy and often bloody entanglements with other nations (Scots, Irish, Welsh, French), the vested interests of the aristocracy, and the Church.

You may remember some of the choice incidents of this era from school - the Norman Conquest, Magna Carta, Peasants Revolt, War of the Roses. But this book is much more than a simple introduction, and will spark the intelligent reader into developing their study of this fascinating period when Britain really began to take shape as the United Kingdom we recognise today.

3.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Short Introduction on Medieval Britain, January 18, 2011

By 

Alexandro C. Telander "Alex C. Telander" (Roseville, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Medieval Britain: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback)

Another welcoming addition in the "A Very Short Introduction" series, Medieval Britain goes right along with The Anglo-Saxon Age and Roman Britain forming a trilogy of the entire expanse of the medieval period in Britain. Written with poignant details and facts, along with occasional pictures, and ending with a complete time chart, further reading, bibliography, family trees, and an extended index; this little book serves as a handy reference tool for any would-be medieval historian writing a paper on the period.

Originally published on December 9th, 2002.

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