A Medieval Miscellany

by Judith Herrin

Book Overview

This dazzlingly beautiful book, containing over four hundred full-color illustrations from medieval manuscripts, is basically the Middle Ages speaking for itself. These scenes from medieval life often appear familiar, intensely human, and recognizable, yet also distant. They depict the everyday concerns of people who loved, worried, feasted, starved, warred, and prayed across a vast area from Scandinavia to Constantinople, from Ireland to Sicily,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670893773
• ISBN13: 9780670893775
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Viking Studio
• Length: 207 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.9" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

A rare and extraordinary find!

'A Medieval Miscellany' is a book that will appeal to any enthuisiast of the time period, for the artistic merit, of both the written word and the artistry of book calligraphers of that time period. Most noticeably is the selection of detail the compilers attributed to this book, along with the nice thick sheets of paper, used as a way to familiarize oneself with the particular time period, where they would have used thick velum and delicate thick-binding. Although on the outside the book may not look noticeably different from any other book, as soon as you open it, and sit down, to read assuming you have a decent time to get the feel for the material, you may easily become entranced with it. I read this book at the same time as "The Renaissance: Maker of Modern Man," by National Geographic Society, which I highly recommend. Such books as these can bring to light such earlier time periods, and it is difficult to develop a true appreciation for such moments in history, unless thoroughly introduced to them. I consider Medieval Miscellany to be an excellent example of the literature, to follow-up with any in depth book that intrduces you to other aspects of that relate to it. I find it unfortunate that books, such as these, are not widely introduced to society, and often were relegated to earlier publishing, and not as recent/easier to find unless looking through (often old) sources that handle them. Admitedly, the most common way to be introduced to a thorough enjoyment of such material, is through leisure, such as this.

A medieval miscellany

A beautifully presented book. As a calligrapher I found it an excellent resource for both medieval quotes and illustrations. The layout makes it a very appealling book just to be able to dip into. The quotes cover a range of topics from the amusing to grotesque and give an insight into medieval life.