Documents in Medieval Latin (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This handbook of medieval Latin texts is designed for historians of the Middle Ages with some knowledge of Latin who wish to be able to read a wide range of original source material. It broadens the traditional scope of medieval Latin readers by including historical documents such as deeds and charters along with traditional literary samples. Within the context of a running narrative, Thorley starts with texts from the Anglo-Saxon period and then moves through subsequent centuries genre by genre. Each text is accompanied by a grammatical and historical commentary, both of which allow for independent study. In addition, all selections are translated at the back of the book.
Documents in Medieval Latin will be useful to students of medieval history, literature, and philosophy and those interested in reading more about the Middle Ages. Thorley's cheerful approach, the lively and representative selections of tests, and the documentary and epigraphic focus will prove valuable for those wishing to explore these vital original sources.
John Thorley teaches medieval Latin at Lancaster University.

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin

Product Details

• Paperback: 199 pages
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0472085670
• ISBN-13: 978-0472085675
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #947,844 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real help for beginners, May 12, 2000

By	Richard A. Weaver (lawrenceville, GA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a beginning student of Latin, I found this book to be very helpful. (Note: it assumes a prior knowledge of Latin. But if you've worked through Wheelock, or Teach Yourself Latin, or Ruck's Intensive Latin, you should have no problem.) It contains app. 80 selections of medieval Latin, varying in length from a short paragraph to about a full page. The selections come from a wide range of subjects (all British-related): charters, court rolls, history, grants, deeds, etc. Each selection is put in its historical context, and linguistic explanations / glosses are included after each reading. The main benefit for me was the inclusion, in the back of the book, of translations of all the selections. For someone trying to learn on their own, this is indispensible. Well worth the money!

4 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, July 14, 1999

By A Customer

The texts used in this book are exclusively from the English background. A title like 'Reading Medieval Latin from English Sources' is more appropriate. As I expected something of wider interest, this was disappointing.