Medieval England: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages) [Hardcover]

Paul E. Szarmach (Editor), M. Teresa Tavormina (Editor), Joel T. Rosenthal (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0824057864 | ISBN-13: 978-0824057862 | Publication Date: May 1, 1998

This valuable reference work offers concise, expert answers to questions on all aspects of life and culture in medieval England-art, architecture, law, literature, kings, commoners, women, music, commerce, technology, warfare, religion, and many others. It takes as its scope English social, cultural, and political life from the Anglo-Saxon invasions in the fifth century to the turn of the sixteenth century. To make it even more useful to information seekers, the Encyclopedia also traces England's ties to the Celtic world of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, to the French and Anglo-Norman world of the Continent, to the Viking and Scandinavian world of the North Sea, and to the world of medieval Christendom. The result is a detailed portrait of the English Middle Ages and their key historical events, personages, and cultural contexts.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Edited by, among others, the director of the Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University, this multidisciplinary encyclopedia is described as "an introduction to the society and culture of England from the coming of the Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century through the accession of the Tudor dynasty (1485) at the turn of the 16th century." Containing more than 700 entries by more than 300 international scholars, the volume encompasses the fields of Old English and Middle English language and literature, music and liturgy, history, and history of art. According to the introduction, it is designed to be accessible to the general reader as well as to the scholar.

Entries are arranged alphabetically and vary in length from a few lines to six or seven pages. Some longer entries are divided into subentries. Drama, vernacular, for example, is divided by genre, such as biblical plays and folk drama; while liturgy and church music, history of is divided by period. More than 170 of the entries are biographical, covering such individuals as Alfred the Great, Thomas Becket, Geoffrey Chaucer, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Margery Kempe, and Richard III. In addition, the reader will find entries for a host of topics from political history (Battle of Hastings, castles and fortification, treason); social history (chivalry, marriage and marriage law); economic history (agriculture and field systems, fairs and markets); and literature and the arts (Bayeux Tapestry, Piers Plowman, satire, vaulting). All entries conclude with a bibliography, generally divided into primary and secondary sources, and extensive see also references. As stated in the introduction, the content of the bibliographies "has been selected with an eye to accessibility for nonspecialist readers," although a university library would still be the place to go for most of the sources.

The A^-Z entries are supported by lists of kings and queens of England, archbishops of Canterbury and York, and popes, 590^-1502, as well as a glossary of musical and liturgical terms. Illustrations include diagrams showing architectural terms, a number of maps copied from other sources, and black-and-white photographs. In addition to the detailed index, there is a useful list of entries arranged by topic, such as "Religious Leaders" and "Musical and Liturgical Forms."

Although similar topics are covered in other sources, most notably Macmillan's 13-volume Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1982^-89), this nicely organized volume is unique in its focus on medieval England. In addition, it reflects more recent scholarship in a growing field. Recommended for academic and large public libraries.

Review

"[A]n invaluable reference work providing concise, expert answers to questions on all aspects of life and culture in medieval England...Highly recommended." -- The Bookwatch

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 888 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824057864
• ISBN-13: 978-0824057862
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,724,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Encyclopedia Reference for the Medievalist, September 12, 2011

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Ray "A Reader" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Medieval England: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages) (Hardcover)

This book, a part of the larger, 11-volume set of the Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages, is an outstanding and authoritative text covering everything from Late Antiquity up until the end of the Late Middle Ages, and is certainly a first-stop when conducting research in the field. Focusing on England, the book covers personages, buildings, educational institutions, practices, and more within the English realm of the period. The book is not only a true encyclopedic reference, but is beautifully bound and was originally destined for library use, due to its size and cost. As such, these types of books may become increasingly rare as we move farther and farther into the digitized book world, but there is still much to be said about having these types of books on the shelf. This one is gorgeous to look at, is printed on library quality paper and binding, and uses a font that is pleasingly easy to read. Numerous black and white photos and drawings support the text.

The content itself is superb. The sheer reach of its content (for example, entries on sceintific and medical writings, Round Tables, Pembroke College, James of Gruytroede, the Battle of Val-es-Dunes, enameling, allegorical interpretation, Cistercian architecture, the Salisbury rule, and on and on, up to some 700 entries) is impressive, and the array of acclaimed researchers who participated (some 300 in all) make this a critical work for use when studying the period. Each entry is completed with a bibliography of supporting references, making this an outstanding first stop for conducting research in both primary and secondary sources.

An easy five stars. If you can get a used copy at a reasonable price, it is even a greater bargain. Its $300 original cost from the publisher generally keeps it only within the realm of libraries, but you should be able to find a used copy at reduced price. If you can, grab it while they are still circulating.

A few others from the same set (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages):
1. Medieval France: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)
2. Medieval Ireland: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)
3. Medieval Archaeology: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)
4. Medieval Science, Technology, and Medicine: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)
5. Medieval Iberia: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)
6. Key Figures in Medieval Europe: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)
7. Medieval Germany: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)
8. Medieval Jewish Civilization: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)
9. Medieval Italy: An Encyclopedia (Routledge Encyclopedias of the Middle Ages)