Who's Who In the Middle Ages

by John Fines

A biographical dictionary that chronicles the lives of the men and women who dominated medieval times, ranging from such figures as Abelard and Robert Bruce to Macbeth, Joan of Arc, and William the Conqueror. Each portrait profiles a life and assesses it in relation to contemporary background.

Genres: History, Reference, Biography, Nonfiction, Medieval, Medieval History

218 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[George]

A biographical dictionary of 100 author selected personalities that chronicles the lives of the men and women who dominated medieval times. Each portrait profiles a life and assesses it in relation to contemporary background.

[Joyce]

My absolute favorite "browsing" book of short biographies of important figures in the Middle Ages. Fines treats his subjects with respect, but also with a sort of wry humor that often makes me grin while I'm reading. Whenever I can't sleep at night but am not in the mood for a full-fledged novel or biography, this is the book that I repeatedly pluck off the shelf to keep me company.

Each entry includes a bibliographic note or two at the end, that I have found helpful in pursuing a deeper study of those historical characters that have particularly struck my fancy.

[Mariah]

Useful reference. This book is better if you read many sections in order, to get a better grasp on York or Tudor sagas, etc. I like the way each section recommends a specific longer biography of its subject. Some of the acerbic wit flies right past me. I enjoyed summarizing each section, determining who was more saintly or noble or villainous or henpecked or foolish than the others.