Customer Reviews

Medieval Britain: A Very Short Introduction

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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.

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.

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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