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You Wouldn't Want to Be ...
You Wouldn't Want to Be in a Medieval Dungeon!: Prisoners You'd Rather Not Meet
Describes what life was like in medieval dungeons during the late fifteenth century, as seen through the eyes of the jailer.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published March 1, 2003
4 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Macdonald
622 books43 followersFiona Macdonald studied history at Cambridge University and at the University of East Anglia. She has taught in schools, adult education and university, and is the author of numerous books for children on historical topics.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 15, 2010
As is usual with this series, none of the yuck is left out. Dungeons were horrible places and this book does not spare us the details. It did discuss the difference in how common prisoners and rich prisoners were treated leading to great conversation. As well as discussion about how prisoners are treated in modern times.
April 17, 2018
I really love the medieval ages so I do a lot a research of that time period. Truth is that back then there were so many outlaws that it was as common as having bad credit. Outlaws were people that failed to show up to court. People used to sue each other for everything, even stupid things like hedge clippings on other's territories. Therefore people were being summoned to court constantly, sometime various times a week and people stopped going to trail. For this reason, a prison was created to keep people until they awaited their court day and then it later became a form of punishment.
Back to this book, we are shown the different types of prisons and the different types of people that occupied it, everything from pirates, murderers, burglars, traitors or rebels, plotters, outlaws, counterfeiters, corrupt officials to nobility that were contestants to the throne or that didn't want to be wedded. They don't just show the squalor and grim of the prisons but the harsh and turbulent lives of the poorest peasants that led them to crime and punishment.
Back to this book, we are shown the different types of prisons and the different types of people that occupied it, everything from pirates, murderers, burglars, traitors or rebels, plotters, outlaws, counterfeiters, corrupt officials to nobility that were contestants to the throne or that didn't want to be wedded. They don't just show the squalor and grim of the prisons but the harsh and turbulent lives of the poorest peasants that led them to crime and punishment.
June 8, 2016
This is such a fun series and a great way to learn about history. I love how this book uses humor to deal with some of the more unsavory elements of history. In this volume we learn about the role of a jailer in medieval times and all the challenges of the job. Filled with interesting facts some well known and some I wasn't familiar with prior to reading this book.
June 26, 2018
More focused on the job of being a dungeon keeper and less on the tortures, punishments, crimes, etc....It deals a lot with bribes and other leadership figures that would be effected by this type of work, but it does take a very honest approach: 'You're not a likable person. Your pay isn't grade. You have a lot of debts to pay back from bribes. You have to be nice, but intimidating." I definitely wouldn't want to be a medieval dungeon master.
The great thing about all of these books is that they are geared towards ages 8-11, our reluctant reader age. This series is great about providing the gross out/disgusting/creepy facts that they love, plus fun colorful illustrations and yes, they are true to factuality. If you see ANY of these on your shelves, upsell them to kids, even if they don't normally enjoy non-fiction, I think they'd like these. Plus, these books also work well with the homeschool audience as well.
The great thing about all of these books is that they are geared towards ages 8-11, our reluctant reader age. This series is great about providing the gross out/disgusting/creepy facts that they love, plus fun colorful illustrations and yes, they are true to factuality. If you see ANY of these on your shelves, upsell them to kids, even if they don't normally enjoy non-fiction, I think they'd like these. Plus, these books also work well with the homeschool audience as well.
December 14, 2021
While there is nothing fun about a dungeon, I was surprised to find this book was not as gruesome as I thought it would be. I was also surprised that the POV character assigned to the reader was a jailor, instead of a prisoner. Regardless, it was informative and interesting.
June 1, 2019
A brief account of medieval prisons.
It sounds as though the prisoners (if poor) suffered a terrible ordeal. More details would have been interesting.
Reading time approximately thirty minutes.
It sounds as though the prisoners (if poor) suffered a terrible ordeal. More details would have been interesting.
Reading time approximately thirty minutes.
November 1, 2020
Love all the "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." books
January 9, 2024
Great series of educational books
February 19, 2017
Was more about the prison warder and less about why the dungeon should be avoided
November 30, 2014
GIVEN TO ME BY MY DAUGHTER WHO IS IN THE 5TH GRADE AND IT WAS GIVEN TO HER BY A TEACHER WHO WAS RETIRING TWO YEARS AGO WHILE IN STILL IN #RD GRADE WHICH SHE READ BACK THEN! I FOUND IT ON HER SHELF IN OUR FAMILY STUDY CENTER!
In this book, that teaches the young student about Medieval life, author Fiona MacDonald tackles the subject of the dungeon. The idea is that you a returning knight in search of a job but do you really want to be working in medieval jail? She brings out all the negatives about the job to help you understand what it was like in the 15th century. She introduces the applicants for the job, a motley looking crew but not near as bad as the prisoners. The student will learn who runs the prisons, the pay and different types of prisons as well as something about castle life. The student will earn about the different types of offenses that land people in prison. The conditions inside the prison are shown to be less than desirable without beds or toilets. Friends must provide these luxuries, as the prison does not. Needless to say, the health conditions are horrible where many diseases may be thrive. The book concludes with a funny examination of punishment. The art work is hilarious characterizations of medieval life. A glossary is included. This is a super little book for the young student to learn about medieval life and recommended for community and K-6 libraries.
ALSO A PERFECT RESOURCE FOR RELUCTANT MIDDLE SCHOOL READERS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION!!!
In this book, that teaches the young student about Medieval life, author Fiona MacDonald tackles the subject of the dungeon. The idea is that you a returning knight in search of a job but do you really want to be working in medieval jail? She brings out all the negatives about the job to help you understand what it was like in the 15th century. She introduces the applicants for the job, a motley looking crew but not near as bad as the prisoners. The student will learn who runs the prisons, the pay and different types of prisons as well as something about castle life. The student will earn about the different types of offenses that land people in prison. The conditions inside the prison are shown to be less than desirable without beds or toilets. Friends must provide these luxuries, as the prison does not. Needless to say, the health conditions are horrible where many diseases may be thrive. The book concludes with a funny examination of punishment. The art work is hilarious characterizations of medieval life. A glossary is included. This is a super little book for the young student to learn about medieval life and recommended for community and K-6 libraries.
ALSO A PERFECT RESOURCE FOR RELUCTANT MIDDLE SCHOOL READERS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION!!!
February 13, 2017
Not as informative as others in the series.
April 30, 2014
We've read many of the books in the You Wouldn't Want To... series. I like that they tackle serious historical events and show the not-so-nice side of human behavior, but in a somewhat humorous and tongue-in-cheek way. The book puts you as the reader into the center of the story, so you can imagine what life in those times was like.
The book explains what it would be like to work in a medieval prison. Prisoners lived in squalid conditions and many times had to resort to bribery to improve their lot. Torture devices are also described.
We enjoyed reading this book together and will look for more of the books in this series at our local library.
The book explains what it would be like to work in a medieval prison. Prisoners lived in squalid conditions and many times had to resort to bribery to improve their lot. Torture devices are also described.
We enjoyed reading this book together and will look for more of the books in this series at our local library.
August 17, 2009
Specifically, you wouldn’t want to work as a castle jailer. An entertaining way to expose students to the causes for and circumstances surrounding medieval punishments. Great color illustrations on every page. Ages 8-14.
March 8, 2016
The grimness of being incarcerated during medieval times is told with whimsy and humor in this book.
The illustrations are a stark contrast (a bit silly and fun) to the bleakness of the subject matter.
The illustrations are a stark contrast (a bit silly and fun) to the bleakness of the subject matter.
May 6, 2013
I like the books in this series they are Informative and easy to read.It's a good book about medieval dungeons.
August 2, 2013
Very well-done, love the pictures. These books remind us just how good we have it. You think you have problems? Not compared to these.
February 16, 2014
A short but fun read. A good book for kids interested in the middle ages.
June 9, 2014
My Son loves this series of books. This one in particular is a bit dark but still good
November 16, 2014
I LOVE these books! Found them in the school library and they are great! I wish there were more!
May 14, 2015
interesting book of medieval times!
July 26, 2015
Learning about the different types of cells was interesting.
March 31, 2009
I like the humor in history it gives
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews