Revelations of the Medieval World

A History of Private Life #2

by Philippe Ariès (Editor), Georges Duby (Editor), Arthur Goldhammer (Translator)

The second volume of A History of Private Life is a treasure-trove of rich and colorful detail culled from an astounding variety of sources. This absorbing “secret epic” constructs a vivid picture of peasant and patrician life in the eleventh to fifteenth centuries.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Medieval History, Reference, Anthropology, European History

688 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Philippe Ariès (21 July 1914 – 8 February 1984) was a French medievalist and historian of the family and childhood, in the style of Georges Duby. He wrote many books on the common daily life. His most prominent works regarded the change in the western attitudes towards death.

Ariès regarded himself as an "anarchist of the right". He was initially close to the Action française but later distanced himself from it, as he viewed it as too authoritarian, hence his self-description as an "anarchist". Ariès also contributed to La Nation française, a royalist review. However, he also co-operated with many left-wing French historians, especially with Michel Foucault, who wrote his obituary.

During his life, his work was often better known in the English-speaking world than it was in France itself. He is known above all for his book L’Enfant et la Vie Familiale sous l’Ancien Régime (1960), which was translated into English as Centuries of Childhood (1962). This book is pre-eminent in the history of childhood, as it was essentially the first book on the subject (although some antiquarian texts were earlier). Even today, Ariès remains the standard reference to the topic. Ariès is most famous for his statement that "in medieval society, the idea of childhood did not exist". Its central thesis is that attitudes towards children were progressive and evolved over time with economic change and social advancement, until childhood, as a concept and an accepted part of family life, from the 17th century. It was thought that children were too weak to be counted and that they could disappear at any time. However, children were considered as adults as soon as they could live alone.

The book has had mixed fortunes. His contribution was profoundly significant both in that it recognised childhood as a social construction rather than as a biological given and in that it founded the history of childhood as a serious field of study. At the same time, his account of childhood has by now been widely criticised.

Ariès is likewise remembered for his invention of another field of study: the history of attitudes to death and dying. Ariès saw death, like childhood, as a social construction. His seminal work in this ambit is L'Homme devant la mort (1977), his last major book, published in the same year when his status as a historian was finally recognised by his induction into the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS), as a directeur d'études.

Reviews

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is vol. 2 of the epic, five volume set. Normally, I can see how a reader might shy away from the prospect of reading five volumes on a single subject (any subject). However, given the time span covered and the all encompassing nature of the topic, private life, this is one five volume "history of" set that is worth the time invested.

In volume two we move to the late middle ages. Gone is the semi-alien world of Rome, now we are emerging into the more familiar middle ages of western europe.

Duby;s introduction discusses the different meaning of "public" and "private" power in the Middle Ages. I'm afraid the discussion was a tad techinical for me on the first read, but the theme seems to be the gradual emergence of the state (as supposed to the family) as the center of power.

The second chapter discusses the world of feudal (northern) france and pre-renasissance tuscan italy. Both segments are, to my mind, what this series is all about. I found the section on tuscan italy to overlap nicely with my reading about the Medici family. The differentness between our world and theirs is well apparent. For example, the Tuscan Italians(not that they would call themselves that), kept their unmarried women locked up in their homes. the author repeatedly compares this world to the modern muslim world to give the reader a sense of what he is talking about.

The section on "Exploring Literature" is a yawner, up there with the chapter on "Roman Architecure in Africa" from the first book.

This book ends with a hint of the modern period which lies ahead, but all in all it is content to dwell in the midevial times and is careful not to jump the gun on the topic of modernity. I appreciated that.

Next up, volume three!

[Peter Crofts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant series. The history of privacy, what it is, how it developed and how it has altered over time, is a necessary exploration of "The West" from at least the Renaissance forward. Revelations of the Medieval World explores the period of European history prior to the development of commerce and the bourgeoisie.

This second volume focuses on privacy within the manor and monastery. There is very little in both, they are run liked extended families. The lives of women, regardless of where they found themselves within the hierarchy, was one of male control and confinement. The book does a very good job of communicating this claustrophobic, misogynist world run by belligerent, vain males whose sole concern was the growth of the clan through marriage and violence. It was an ugly, dark world.

[Elizabeth]

Revelations of the Medieval World (A History of Private Life, #2)
by Philippe Ariès (Editor)



v. 1. From pagan Rome to Byzantium / Paul Veyne, editor -- v. 2. Revelations of the medieval world / Georges Duby, editor ; Arthur Goldhammer, translator -- v. 3. Passions of the Renaissance /Roger Chartier, editor ; Arthur Goldhammer, translator -- v. 4. From the fires of revolution to the Great War / Michelle Perrot, editor -- v. 5. Riddles of identity in modern times / Antoine Prost and Gerard Vincent, editors.




this book broadens what we learned in Barbara Tuchman's Distant Mirror

It is part of a three part approach to this history that includes James Burke connections I and DM. This volume is just too vague about when the text is about real historical peopole and when about fictional characgters. I will someday have to look them all up and find out. It is also vague about times ie sliding around in decades and sometimes centuries.

[Roxana Chirilă · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely book, rich in detail, crazy in scope. If there's anything I can possibly reproach it for, it's these two things: the chapter on literature isn't as interesting as the others (nor is it as clear, in my opinion); and also, that it explains the situation in only a few places in Europe, without much mention of other areas.

It's good to know, as the authors caution us again and again, that they do not have the ambition to describe all of Medieval Europe at once, but at the same time I felt that a few words about the situation elsewhere or how typical some of the aspects were for the rest of the world would have been useful.

Overall, however, it was a fascinating read, with a lot of interesting little details and very concrete information which is an absolute pleasure to read. I highly recommend it.

[Sheila]

This is my dry, academic book that I'm reading to try and expand that brain tissue a little bit. Actually, it was recommended by an elderly British patron at the library who brought me his very own copy, so I provide him an update on my progress whenever I see him. It's actually pretty interesting, learning about private life in medieval times. From the notion of "public" vs. "private" to the

[Erik Graff · Rating 2 out of 5]

After the first volume of the series, this, the second, was quite a disappointment. The first volume had some coherence, indicative of a decent editor. This one does not. Some of the essays are okay, others are too specialized. One does not get a sense of a balanced overview of what is, to be fair, an extremely long period of time and a wide variety of cultures.

[Lenka · Rating 5 out of 5]

1 down 4 more to go!

[Rita Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book revealed much more detail about the day to day life of an ordinary individual of the time than I had ever before known. Fascinating!

[Emmanuel Soria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha encantado. No es un libro de divulgación, si no más bien un manual académico con una pretensión de ampliar el público. Hay partes que me han encantado, en especial las de Duby en torno a la idea de privado. La única "pega" es que abarcar lo privado con un trayecto de mil años hace que esté centrado en nudos problemáticos de los historiadores más que un relato más uniforme.

[Mikhail Filatov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Книга состоит из нескольких частей написанных разными авторами со множеством повторений и «воды». Полезной и интересной информации-вроде того, что в Средневековье считалось неприличным выходить из дома одному, а первое описание сауны сделано арабским путешественником в Богемию в конце 10в-слишком мало.

[Victor Hernández A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desde una perspectiva muy enriquecida y enfocada exclusivamente en las cosas cotidianas y personales de las distintas épocas, este libro narra de una forma sumamente descriptiva y detallada, muchísimos hechos, situaciones y escenarios. Lamentablemente no es tan coloquial ni tan fluido como el tomo uno, pero aún así es sumamente interesante e instructivo.

[Kathryn Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this pretty scholarly work. Kind of wish I'd bought the next book in the series but I did not.

[Vanjr · Rating 2 out of 5]

better than volume 1

[Moloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Che fatica! Devo dire la verità, mi aspettavo una lettura più piacevole, quando ho iniziato ad affrontare l'opera in quattro volumi La vita privata, a cura dei due insigni storici francesi Philippe Ariès e Georges Duby. E molte speranze riponevo in questo secondo volume, incentrato sui secoli del pieno Medioevo. Invece, si sono ripresentati alcuni dei difetti riscontrati nel precedente Dall'impero romano all'anno Mille: passaggi pressocché incomprensibili, punteggiatura un po' così (ad alcuni sembrerà una minuzia, a me invece dà particolarmente fastidio), in più traduzioni poco precise (perché lasciare in francese nomi come "Alphonse de Castille" o "Orderic Vitale" quando abbiamo Alfonso di Castiglia e Orderico Vitale entrati perfettamente e da tempo in uso?), errori vari ("Christiane Glabisch" al posto di Christiane Klapisch-Zuber, storica).

Sicuramente il maggiore ostacolo al pieno apprezzamento del testo è stata però la sua eccessiva oscurità in molti capitoli: parlo di quelli iniziali a firma di Georges Duby e soprattutto di tutto il lungo excursus sulla letteratura cortese di Danielle Régnier-Bohler. Contenevano osservazioni magari anche interessanti, ma, a forza di capire il senso di una riga ogni dieci, il lettore si stanca e finisce per scorrere le pagine velocemente e con poca concentrazione (tanto è inutile: anche rileggendole più volte è difficile capire cosa intenda dire l'autore/l'autrice in frasi come "La tradizione allegorica, ed in particolare il Roman de la Rose, utilizza riccamente l'io che — continuando a dire «io» — intraprende talvolta la più pericolosa delle ricerche, quella in cui lo spazio mentale è legato a uno spazio percorso ed alla sovrapposizione di due temporalità, quella del sonno (la vera) e quella di una coscienza ben sveglia (ma immaginaria)". E va avanti sempre così). Altre volte si ha l'impressione che il collegamento con il tema centrale "vita privata" si faccia molto labile, e l'autore del contributo non abbia voluto rinunciare a trattare di temi che gli sono più familiari, più congeniali, più noti.

Se non altro, accanto a una prevedibile preponderanza dell'area francese quale oggetto di studio, l'Italia (ma più precisamente la Toscana) non viene trascurata, anzi, è oggetto di un capitolo a sé, scritto da Charles de La Roncière: peccato però che le notizie sulla vita privata dei notabili toscani del XIV-XV secolo da lui presentate siano un po'... non voglio dire "banalotte", che rischia di suonare poco rispettoso, ma già sentite, sicuramente trattate in modo molto frettoloso e compendioso: è anche vero che il poco spazio non consentiva nulla più che una sintesi di studi già fatti, e che quest'opera è ormai datata (anni '80), probabile che mi sembri poco originale perché, dopo di essa, si sono moltiplicati i contributi in un campo in cui all'epoca si poteva definire pioneristica.

Molto meglio, invece, le parti che, prendendo spunto spesso dai ritrovamenti archeologici, tentano una ricostruzione delle dimore private medievali, di Dominique Barthélemy e Philippe Contamine, e questo apprezzamento non è così scontato da parte mia, che generalmente poco mi interesso di archeologia, preferendo gli apporti delle fonti scritte: eppure, un po' di sana concretezza, dopo i fumi e le elucubrazioni letterario-filosofiche della Régnier-Bohler, non può che far piacere! Bello anche l'ultimo contributo, di Philippe Braunstein, in cui finalmente entra nel campo visivo dello storico anche l'area tedesca, e in cui vengono proposte interessanti letture iconografiche di dipinti, soprattutto italiani e fiamminghi, anche molto famosi. In effetti, in questo volume, sono più stringenti e motivati e facilmente tracciabili, rispetto a quanto avveniva nel primo, i riferimenti al corredo di immagini che l'abbelliscono.

3/5

http://moloch981.wordpress.com/2010/0...

[Pedro Ceneme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assim como o primeiro volume dessa série, o volume II da História da Vida Privada é traz uma visão bastante detalhada dos hábitos e valores das populações do período. Existe um viés no relato para os costumes da elite, que de fato escrevia e possuía mais riquezas materiais para deixar de evidência para os historiadores, mas surpreende a diversidade e profundidade das fontes que os autores consultam para tentar construir um “mosaico” do que seria a realidade de um habitante da Europa durante os séculos X – XV: evidências materiais, como objetos e construções em sítios arqueológicos, e documentais, como listas de registros, relatos de representantes das autoridades locais, obras de arte, ficção e religiosas compõe a maior parte das referências e são citados a exaustão.

A grande mensagem que tirei desse livro é continuidade. Em linhas gerais, os costumes parecem mudar muito lentamente, com pouca diferença entre o que se acreditava e praticava no século VII e no século XIV. O capítulo sobre os hábitos e valores das famílias na Toscana no final do período medieval, em especial, carrega uma familiaridade perturbadora para um descente de italianos da mesma região quase setecentos anos depois: ainda que existam diferenças importantes, não é de se esperar uma preponderância tão grande de similaridades depois de um período tão grande. Outra ideia do livro é que, apesar de descrever a vida “privada”, essa vida não necessariamente continha privacidade: além de um estranhamento generalizado sobre pessoas que não querem interagir com outras (uma atitude coerente apenas para loucos e membros de ordens religiosas, segundo a visão do período), a possibilidade de estar só era um privilégio das elites, que podiam criar espaços para tal. O restante da sociedade normalmente dividia espaços apertados com diversas pessoas e não valorizava qualquer conquista individual, colocando o mérito inteiramente em serviços públicos.

Em nível mais micro, a continuidade do período faz com que diversos valores da sociedade romana, comentados no primeiro volume, continuem dominando o dia a dia das relações. A Igreja acaba sendo o grande vetor de manutenção desses valores. Em especial, chama atenção seu papel em manter padrões de higiene, em tentar promover alguma melhora nos direitos da mulher e atuar como provedora de serviços de caridade. A evolução dos costumes religiosos, com ganho de relevância do eremitismo e surgimento das ordens monásticas, também parece ter sido crucial para os primeiros desenvolvimentos de uma privacidade e da noção do indivíduo de uma forma mais similar ao conceito moderno que temos. Do aspecto político, vemos o ápice da fragmentação política europeia (século XII) e seu subsequente movimento de concentração, gerando movimentos importantes de cunho social e administrativo, que também influenciam as relações dentro das casas e comunidades. No capítulo sobre obras de arte e literatura, chama a atenção como muitas das noções de beleza e qualidade enfatizadas permaneceram essencialmente as mesmas. O livro não responde se isso revela a atemporalidade desses conceitos ou simplesmente uma herança muito forte que carregamos, mas faz pensar...

Tal como no primeiro exemplar, a diversidade de autores e estilos torna a linguagem e qualidade argumentativa do texto um pouco heterogênea, principal ponto fraco do livro. Repetições de temas, idas e vindas sobre discussões tornam a leitura cansativa em alguns momentos. Outro defeito é que, para um leitor buscando entender como esses costumes mudaram (ou não) no tempo, o livro carece de referências aos trabalhos anteriores, contidos no primeiro volume ou mesmos nos capítulos anteriores. Isso gera algumas perdas em relações causais e força o leitor a consultar trechos anteriores (ou o primeiro livro) em busca desses paralelos.

[Galicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

This scholarly work was difficult to get into but it became manageable in the chapter on greater Tuscany. The early chapter on Northern France often reads as but a short step from “The History of the Franks.” It becomes obvious early that we are dealing not with any larger part of Europe but with these two regions. I did not expect to learn a great deal about life of the poor working people though we hear of them occasionally merely mentioned in comparison to their feudal lords or seigneurs. What sources could the authors draw on about the lowest class? The number of illustrations is amazing and often much to the point in emphasizing the authors’ argument.

I must have added this title to my reading list because I developed in recent years a strong interest in Medieval life and times. What attracted me to the Middle Ages is not the constant fighting, assassination, ambushes all too well described in the “History of the Franks” by Gregory of Tours but how James Joseph Walsh described life much later in his “The Thirteenth: Greatest of Centuries.”

The book is focused heavily first on monastic communities which is of course of historical interest that I relate to even Merton’s writings of our times and what I’ve read about the Trappists in Gethsemane, Kentucky.

The introduction is wide ranging with little orientation to what area of Europe we are dealing unless the Frankish, post Charlemagne references are an indication.

Some curious revelations: the occupants of the “donjons” cared less for furnishings in the somber interiors than for the finery of the clothes they wore. The furniture was the type that could be moved to another location.

Census in Medieval France counted not the heads but hearths or even chimneys. This was a practice that had its beginnings in Roman times. These were counted as representing three heads. Life expectancy and birth rate were at their lowest 1350-1450. The Hundred Years’ Was caused a major demographic depression, depopulation which slowly recovered after 1450.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Is it legitimate to speak of private life in the Middle Ages?”

This is the second volume of a vast academic project overseen by Philippe Ariès and Georges Duby which problematises the concept of ‘privacy’ in primarily French history. This second volume edited by Duby, one of the great historians of the middle ages who changed how we understand the very term ‘medieval’, covers a period from roughly 1000 to the fifteenth century.

One of the characteristics which distinguishes academic from popular history is the explorative and tentative nature of the former as opposed to the often unnuanced and confident quality of the latter. This text operates decisively in the scholarly field and may be thought of as an archaeology of privacy.

After an introductory essay by Duby, the book explores the slippery concept of the private via paintings and portraits; literary texts; and architectural space. Inevitably, the sources both overlap and contradict each other, adding to the complexity of the picture being drawn here.

The approach of the various teams of contributors varies: so, for example, the section on literature is broken up into almost encyclopaedic entries on topics such as ‘the solitary man’, ‘the bed’, ‘seductions’ and ‘bathing’. Most of the textual examples come from French texts, but other parts of the book take a more pan-European approach.

So not a book I would read cover to cover, but with many illustrations (sadly mostly black and white) and an excellent index and bibliography, this is a very good resource for anyone studying medieval culture.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

c1988. This was such a fascinating book. With illustrations on nearly every page and some really interesting paragraphs. Again, not the kind of book that you can read in one go but perfect to pick up read and cogitate from time to time. As a reference book, it will take some beating! " Hair was an important element of a person's image. Blond hair was considered a canonical ingredient of beauty, as indicated by the numerous words for blondeness and the many heroines whose names connote blondness, such as Clarissant, Soredamor and Lienor. Although narrative literature preferred blondes, some very elegant women were nevertheless descrined as "a little brunette" (Roman de la violette). Laudine is blonde, but her servant Lunete is an "excellent brunette."

[Den S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors focus on medieval private life beginning in the tenth century. The book covers a multitude of topics: marriage, personal issues, family dynamics, and religious cloisters. Most of the analysis is conducted on French and Italian sources. The time frame spans approximately five hundred years total; therefore, generalizations must be carefully evaluated.

[Noelle M · Rating 5 out of 5]

As people who text on their phones might say "OMG that was amazing." The essays are engrossing to say the least. This covers acceptable social conventions and views of how lifes various roles ought to be played during the centuries that followed the collapse of Roman civility. I couldn't put it down.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those flawed books that's so improbably interesting that you can't put it down. A "History of Private Life"? Seriously?

Well, yes.

Now and then a detail gets away from the editors, often enough that it made me petulant, but it's long been one of my favorites just for its audacity and scope.

[Sherwood Smith]

Interesting, useful overview. Great for zeroing in on times and places, and for using the bibliography. One of those books I like to pick up, open anywhere, and read bits. Seems strongest, by far, on French early life.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

May be this is a book not to be devoured in a week. You will learn how the Middle Ages were in reality, how people lived - miserably by todays standards- and how they were connected. It is not about kings or generals, but of carpenters and smiths. Very well written and a joy to read.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times, this can be too much of a good thing. Detailed, wide-ranging, and clear summaries of issues from family dynamics, to bathing, to the concept of self, complete with numerous and well-chosen reproductions of topical artwork.

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are all magnificent, and this is no exception. History as it should be done. Another book I read exclusively on the toilet over a six m-year period — perfect pacing for a topical work like this.

[Laurel Kristick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second volume of 5 volume series - interesting view of life in Medieval Europe.

[Lyla]

my friend nancy has recommended it to me,she said it's greatest history story she has ever read,so i'd like to read it,not the text,but the glorious pics,haha

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of this was an absolute chore to get through but the chapter on Tuscan nobility and the elaboration on the symbolism of medieval costume are well worth the read.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool stuff that shows you how technology may change but culture and society pretty much stay the same. Touches on a lot of things from economics, religion and even architecture.