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Chaucer's England
Offers teachers and students a guide to 14th century England, drawing on historical and archeological sources and from Chaucer's life and work, providing information on religion, poitics, science, medicine, and education.
136 pages, Library Binding
First published April 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 16, 2014
Summary:
Chaucer's England, explores 14th century England: from traveling to food, from housing to money, from "social hierarchy" to the religious order, from Parliament to medicine, from marriage to "leisure" activities.
Geoffrey Chaucer, was born in London, England, about 1340, and died 1400. There are "500 official documents" which contain information about Chaucer, "many of them brief records of payments made to him by his employers." Three English kings ruled during Chaucer's life. Edward III (ruled 1327-1377), and Richard II (1377-1399). Henry IV, began his reign late in 1399.
Geoffrey Chaucer's, notable work is Canterbury Tales. He also wrote Troilus and Criseyde, The Romaunt of the Rose, The Plowman's Tale, The Pilgrim's Tale, and more.
Chaucer's England, is a quick read yet packed with information.
A favorite aspect of reading history is how people lived during another era. I enjoyed reading about social customs, for example, the marriageable age for 14th century was age fourteen for boys and age twelve for girls. Marriage during this period was not considered a romantic decision (although they enjoyed reading romantic stories). It was a "economic and social arrangement." Most often boys were in their twenties when they married, girls in their teen years.
The three estates of social class were peasants, knighthood, and clergy. In more than one section in the book these classes will be expounded on.
Over-all, this is a splendid book that can be used for reference, as well as interesting reading material.
Note: This is not a book about Chaucer, it is a book about the period in which he lived.
Chaucer's England, explores 14th century England: from traveling to food, from housing to money, from "social hierarchy" to the religious order, from Parliament to medicine, from marriage to "leisure" activities.
Geoffrey Chaucer, was born in London, England, about 1340, and died 1400. There are "500 official documents" which contain information about Chaucer, "many of them brief records of payments made to him by his employers." Three English kings ruled during Chaucer's life. Edward III (ruled 1327-1377), and Richard II (1377-1399). Henry IV, began his reign late in 1399.
Geoffrey Chaucer's, notable work is Canterbury Tales. He also wrote Troilus and Criseyde, The Romaunt of the Rose, The Plowman's Tale, The Pilgrim's Tale, and more.
Chaucer's England, is a quick read yet packed with information.
A favorite aspect of reading history is how people lived during another era. I enjoyed reading about social customs, for example, the marriageable age for 14th century was age fourteen for boys and age twelve for girls. Marriage during this period was not considered a romantic decision (although they enjoyed reading romantic stories). It was a "economic and social arrangement." Most often boys were in their twenties when they married, girls in their teen years.
The three estates of social class were peasants, knighthood, and clergy. In more than one section in the book these classes will be expounded on.
Over-all, this is a splendid book that can be used for reference, as well as interesting reading material.
Note: This is not a book about Chaucer, it is a book about the period in which he lived.
June 24, 2015
This book offered a great deal of insight into the lives led during the time of Chaucer. It was a bit dry in places but it was valuable as I attempt to get through The Canterbury Tales. This would still be of value for history buffs, even if you never plan to read anything written by Chaucer. A few interesting tidbits:
"Medical care took an holistic approach: the psychological and spiritual wellbeing of patients was linked to their physical care. Prayers and pilgrimages were as mych a part of the healing process as medicine. Healthful foods, rest, a peaceful environment, and music were considered important restoratives. One fourteenth-century. English surgeon, John Arderne, also notes the importance of laughter to health: 'It spedeth,' he writes, 'that a leche kunne talk of gode tales and of honest that may make the pacientes to laugh.'" (I couldn't resist adding some actual Middle English.)
"Cooking was largely in professional hqnds. Noble households and rich peasants and townspeople hired cooks. Cookshops sold prepared foods to the less wealthy, and street vendors hawked hot pies on market days. In towns, take-out meals were delivered to people's homes. In a time when not everyone had ovens and cooking took time. and skill, cooking was an important business."
"Medical care took an holistic approach: the psychological and spiritual wellbeing of patients was linked to their physical care. Prayers and pilgrimages were as mych a part of the healing process as medicine. Healthful foods, rest, a peaceful environment, and music were considered important restoratives. One fourteenth-century. English surgeon, John Arderne, also notes the importance of laughter to health: 'It spedeth,' he writes, 'that a leche kunne talk of gode tales and of honest that may make the pacientes to laugh.'" (I couldn't resist adding some actual Middle English.)
"Cooking was largely in professional hqnds. Noble households and rich peasants and townspeople hired cooks. Cookshops sold prepared foods to the less wealthy, and street vendors hawked hot pies on market days. In towns, take-out meals were delivered to people's homes. In a time when not everyone had ovens and cooking took time. and skill, cooking was an important business."
April 25, 2011
Fantastic book for an overview of topics ranging from food to astrology to medicine to recreation and travel. It's nice and short if you just want the basics - it could go far more in depth, but this is a great start to the particular time period in this location for someone like me who hasn't read much on this era in England.
January 3, 2014
This book might as well be titled 'Life in Thirteenth Century England' for that is its entire subject; it talks a little of Chaucer but never in any great detail. Those looking for a basic portrait of medieval English life may find it useful; those looking for information about Geoffrey Chaucer should check out a biography .
February 23, 2011
Good but very brief. There are many books like this and this one is not notably better or worse.
May 26, 2012
I read this at the same time I re-read Chaucer's tales and it was a great complement.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews