Written and hosted by Terry Jones, each half-hour episode examines a particular Medieval personality, with the intent of separating myth from reality. Be the first to ask a question about Terry Jones' Medieval Lives. Behind the stereotypes of "damsels in distress" and "knights in shining armor," there are wonderfully human stories that bring the period to life. So long as this book is viewed as a humorous and lighthearted attempt at popular history, it is far easier to enjoy than when one is tearing it apart for its inevitable stumbles and errors and its failure to give credit where credit is due to various people and groups of people. Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives: The Book Of The BBC Series, by Terry Jones and Alan Ereira In many ways, this book is an entertaining volume, even though it seeks to present itself as something more than mere entertainment. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Among his biases is a strong hostility to organized religion as well as a certain degree of favoritism to entertainers and outlaws. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! I was disappointed with this book. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. In this lesson, you will begin to unpick the difficulties surrounding medieval peasants and their source record. So the very idea of telling stories of ‘medieval lives’ needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. ‎A fascinating look at life in the Middle Ages that focuses on eight extraordinary medieval men and women through realistically invented conversations between them and their counterparts. Yes, it’s he of Monty Python fame and, in the illustrated version of this book, he poses in costume for each of the various life- roles into which the book is divided. Were the Middle Ages mired in superstition and ignorance? But, given the right amount of salt, we should find that we can strip away the mythology of medievalism and enter a world in which people’s lives Brilliant book crammed full of facts about the medieval period. Video. Mentalities and Social Orders (1991) This is actually … There is very little stuff about anything outside England. To see what your friends thought of this book. Professor Hynes has received numerous literary grants and teaching fellowships. This is a delightful book for both the layman and expert. May 5th 2005 Also the illustrations are excellent. Medieval Lives: Eight Charismatic Men and Women of the Middle Ages Norman F. Cantor, Author HarperCollins Publishers $23 (197p) ISBN 978-0-06-016989-3 More By and About This Author Refresh and try again. In Terry Jones' Medieval Lives, his mission is to rescue the Middle Ages from moth-eaten cliches and well-worn platitudes. The Middle Ages were in many cases backwards, religion was the center of life, and the Victorians might have been...wait no their interpretation was wholly a fantasy. I have to say it's a really fun read. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Medieval Life describes in meticulous yet vivid detail manners, customs and dress during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fan of history, but want an easy fun read. Full of facts like how people in the Middle Ages did not think that the world was flat. My library So great layout, great information and very enjoyable read. Heinrich Fichtenau, Living in the Tenth Century. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. This book is largely about how our ideas of what life was like in the so-called Dark Ages have been mythologized, propagandized, romanticized, stereotyped, or just plain lied about. Medieval years are romanticized in films and books. He is best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy team. I came across this book and saw Terry Jones' name attached to it. I'm on the section about religion at the moment and it has facts, history lessons and a good bit of wit. In their widest ramifications ‘the Middle Ages’ thus constitute one of the most prevalent cultural myths of the modern world. I agree, but it is true that nearly all lies are based o. The origins of these interpretations are disparaged as fulfilling a propaganda role. Lovely little book that deals with all prejudices we might have about the Middle Ages. We cannot guarantee that every book is in the library. Really, really good. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Terry Jones' Medieval Lives is a 2004 television documentary series produced for the BBC. Terry Jones is most famous as a member of Monty Python; he has also directed a number of feature films, including. It's very difficult to blend ge. Please try again. It does seem well researched, but I suspect that some liberties in conclusions were made. MEDIEVAL REVIEW This is an important book. This book uses primary sources to dig into the lives of 6 Medieval people -- Bodo the peasant, Marco Polo, Eglentyne the Prioress, a Paris housewife, an English wool merchant, and an English clothier. Particularly good is the book as a memory study, arguing against the interpretations of the Middle Ages as backward (Enlightenment view), idealized (romantic/Victorian view), and holy (Catholic view). But then you find out that you actually knew next to nothing at all. Written with Alan Ereira, parts of pieces of Jones' comedic voice remains in the the text. This is a delightful book for both the layman and expert. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2020. Martin’s Game of Thrones series. Well, maybe it was half of what I expected. Welcome back. Famous for lampooning the medieval world in, The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century, The Middle Ages: Everyday Life in Medieval Europe, Life in a Medieval Village (Medieval Life), Who Murdered Chaucer? Excellent introduction for anyone interested in the period, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2018. Alright, so my thinking on this book was "Medieval=awesome, Terry Jones=also awesome, I must read this." Separated into the medieval roles, Jones uses these roles to construct a counter-narrative to many of the stereotypes around medieval history through focusing in on specific instances. Recently started reading this. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20645.Terry_Jones_Medieval_Lives My main problem with this book is that it never seems to figure out what it wants to be. The origins of these interpretations are disparaged as fulfilling a propaganda role. Verified Purchase. From acclaimed historians Frances and Joseph Gies comes the reissue of their classic book on day-to-day life in medieval cities, which was a source for George R.R. Please try your request again later. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 8, 2019. Read 1 485 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Terry Jones' Medieval Lives. Yet it clearly wants the reader to take historical fact away from it, and while it has wit, isn't particularly funny. Sometimes when people die you think you already knew pretty much all there was to know about them. In conclusion Jones writes. BBC Physical Audio; New Ed edition (May 1, 2005). of American Writers and was a New York Times Notable Book for 1990. So, pretty much that's how the book goes as well. Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2015. I also really liked the way that the information was presented, although that isn't very surprising to me. It's very difficult to blend genres with informational books, and I don't think this one succeeded. Very readable and packed full of interesting stories which help to explain how medieval people viewed many aspects of life (e.g. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect . Terry Jones' Medieval Lives is a BBC documentary series presented by Terry Jones, looking at the Medieval world with the intent of finding out what it was really like. I would say the dates bounce around a good bit. – a look at the acknowledgements section reveals that it apparently is, in fact, a companion book to a television series. Castles, for the most part, are the purview of European countries, whose castles and fortresses date back centuries to a time when monarchical rulers frequently faced the possibility of invasion from a foreign enemy. A Light-hearted look at the Medieval period, Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2016. Plenty of interesting (and surprising) facts - the author has obviously done a huge amount of research (the bibliography takes up 10% of the volume!). A fascinating insight into an extended and much maligned period in history and a salutary reminder that misrepresenting facts is not a modern invention, but a human habit over many generations. https://www.amazon.com/Terry-Jones-Medieval-Lives/dp/0563522755 Profusely illustrated, it is a veritable This is no dry recitation of "facts." If you like learning about how history is distorted according to who is telling it, this is a nice book. In 1607, Jamestown was founded by the Virginia Company. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Your used books make a big difference in the lives of America’s Veterans and their families. Various medieval "jobs" are examined one by one, with historical examples for each that illuminate the book's theme while educating. It's much too biased and flippant to be a trustworthy historical text, and often picks and chooses facts to fit with a preferred narrative (the incidence other reviewers have mentioned about questioning Queen Elizabeth I's parentage is one undermining example). Please try again. A hefty amount of the information was familiar to me, (I even recognized the Christine de Pisan passage from when I read it in Art History,) but some of it was new and those parts were interesting. Accompanying a TV series, the book addresses and redresses many of the stereotypical images we have of the Middle Ages. I enjoyed very much reading the book . Although Terry’s delightful presentation skills make the BBC series version memorable, I found his writing style to be much more captivating. Fun History book that covers Medieval England in an unusual way. The series consists of eight episodes, each of which examines a particular Medieval personality: the peasant, the monk, the damsel, the minstrel, the knight, the philosopher, the outlaw and the king. Jones is funny (or more cheeky) but he has good observations about the various Medieval archetypes. A Distant Mirror book. I'm a history nut and a Monty Python fan. Not Monty Python wackiness--not that there's anything wrong with that--but erudite and clever. But the best aspect of this read--and it's over all too soon--is how bloody amusing it is. Or at least something resembling Medieval times. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2017. His novella collection 3XEOLVK DQG 3HULVK 7KUHH 7DOHV RI 7HQXUH DQG 7HUURU was a 3XEOLVKHUV :HHNO\ Best Book of 1997 and appeared on several critics’ best-of-the-year lists. I have not seen the television series. Anyone who reads high fantasy knows this is generally the mythical time they are set in. A Medieval Life offers a biography of one woman, a portrait of her world, and an introduction to historical method. A hefty amount of the information was familiar to me, (I even recognized the Christine de Pisan passage from when I read it in Art History,) but some of it was new and those parts were interesting. Renowned for lampooning the schoolboy view of the medieval world in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Terry Jones is also regarded as a true connoisseur of the Middle Ages. It's funny. I'm a history nut and a Monty Python fan. No matter how big or small, your donations are needed and appreciated. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect. A full 5 stars for me. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect. I was very well surprised by the elaborate details used to debunk many of the classic popular conceptions associated with the Middle Ages .I liked the most the ‘Damsel’ ( chapter 7) and ‘Peasant’ (chapter 1) – I was fascinated to learn that these people, who in general are perceived to be weak and have limited coping skills, were able to handle so courageously and wisely unfortunate events. This is mostly, above anything else, about how William the Conqueror's invasion from 1066 changed Medieval England. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect . I enjoyed very much reading the book . Sources are cited. I’m sorry I missed it. They also don't bog down in parts, so it's not like you're dying to go to the next section. In many ways, this book is an entertaining volume, even though it seeks to present itself as something more than mere entertainment. View in classroom. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Admittedly, the book deserves praise for its discussion of the peasant as a key aspect of the society of the Middle Ages, but unfortunately the author ignores town dwellers and focuses on parasitic cultural and intellectual elites, evidence of an anti-bourgeois bias that is all too common in such efforts. In order to read online Medieval Saints Lives textbook, you need to create a FREE account. I think i'm in the 1100s and on turning the page find it's 1321 and then back to 1001 and the like. Just feast your eyes upon all of these debut books to check out and emerging authors to... Was medieval England full of knights on horseback rescuing fainting damsels in distress? Written with Alan Ereira, parts of pieces of Jones' comedic voice remains in the the text. In many ways, this book is an entertaining volume, even though it seeks to present itself as something more than mere entertainment. I read as far as Jones asserting that Mark Smeaton was hung, drawn and quartered. I came across this book and saw Terry Jones' name attached to it. The writing style was perhaps a little on the dry side for me - it took me quite a while to plough through the book, but it was still worth reading. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Written in an accessible and colloquial style, this is a great read for anyone wanting to get a glimpse of real Medieval Lives . You will examine what the Domesday Book can reveal about peasants' lives. Terry Jones is probably best known as a member of Monty Python, but he's also a medieval scholar. This book was not at all what I thought it would be. It's much too biased and flippant to be a trustworthy historical text, and often picks and chooses facts to fit with a preferred narrative (the incidence other reviewers have mentioned about questioning Queen Elizabeth I's parentage is one undermining example). There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Otherwise, I couldn't recommend it more than this. Don't expect hugely detailed and forensic analysis of obscure texts or archeological evidence , this is after all a relatively short book covering a vast subject . And, of course, those key questions: which monks were forbidden the delights of donning underpants... and did outlaws never wear trousers? My main problem with this book is that it never seems to figure out what it wants to be. - I think this was written for a reader who knows a lot less than I and is looking for an easy intro to the subject. Written in a clear and accessible style, it reworks a well-loved book to provide an entirely new resource for students, teachers, and general readers. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read Terry Jones' Medieval Lives. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Medieval Life (Eyewitness Books) Published April 14th 1996 by Knopf Books for Young Readers Hardcover, 0 pages Author(s): Andrew Langley. Similarly, the author comes to the Middle Ages with a certain background as a comedian whose work, especially Monty Python's Search For The Holy Grail, itself made a lot of knowing winks and nods at the medieval history of the British Isles. “The Renaissance invented the Middle Ages in order to define itself; the Enlightenment perpetuated them in order to admire itself; and the Romantics revived them in order to escape from themselves. As for describing the whole of the middle ages... Terence Graham Parry Jones was a Welsh comedian, screenwriter and actor, film director, children's author, popular historian, political commentator and TV documentary host. This is not true. It does seem wel. Terry Jones' love of history is well-known, and this book, which seemed to be based on a BBC series of the same name, goes more deeply and detailedly in the richness of late medieval history in English than one would expect. Richard II might not have been cruel, but he was vain and lived lavishly. Similarly, the author comes to the Middle Ages with a certain. So, pretty much that's how the book goes as well. This important book is well written and supports every conjecture with evidence and citations. This is serious history, but Terry Jones, being Terry Jones, is able to insert plenty of humor. Start by marking “Terry Jones' Medieval Lives” as Want to Read: Error rating book. He has references for his challenges as well, and the book has an extensive bibliography and many footnotes. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. : A Medieval Mystery. Yet it clearly wants the reader to take historical fact away from it, and while it has wit, isn't particularly funny. I agree, but it is true that nearly all lies are based on some truth. Unable to add item to List. Evoking every aspect of city life in the Middle Ages, Life in a Medieval City depicts in detail what it was like to live in a prosperous city of Northwest Europe in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. I'm about half way through it already, even after a week (some of us still have day jobs!). He was beheaded in the same way as his fellows who had also been convicted and sentenced to death. Terry Jones' Medieval Lives - Ebook written by Alan Ereira, Terry Jones. Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2015. Although Terry’s delightful presentation skills make the BBC series version memorable, I found his writing style to be much more captivating. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. I indeed got a diatribe of medieval life, which may or may not be 100% factual. Lesson overview: Medieval lives in Domesday Book. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Written with Alan Ereira, parts of pieces of … Please try again. A fascinating look at life in the Middle Ages that focuses on eight extraordinary medieval men and women through realistically invented conversations between them... Free shipping over $10. health) in a very different way from how we understand them today. Each chapter is about different people you would find in the middle ages from the monk to the outlaw. To find the manuscript, wily bureaucrat Geoffrey Chaucer turns to fellow poet John Gower, a professional trader in information with connections high and low. The rest of the books is filled with tales of philosophers, alchemists, magicians, fraudsters, innovators and doctors, chivalric knights, damsels and, ultimately, the king himself. Terry Jones from Monty Python is a case in point. This rather light-hearted look at the so-called Medieval period of history had something of the feel of a television program about it. And it challenges many of the assumptions we make about the people of the medieval period, their lives, their circumstances, and the history they lived through. Readers have a lot to look forward to this year! 4.5 out of 5 stars 80. It's easy to read. The whole book wasn't laugh out loud funny, but there were some places that were pretty good in that regard. , customs and dress during the Middle Ages from the world was flat the app. Introduction for anyone interested in the the text anyone interested in the the text of ``.. N'T think this one succeeded, Living in the 1100s and on turning the page find it a... ) by Frances Gies and Joseph Gies | Jul 12, 2016 to insert plenty of humor Python but. So it 's a problem loading this menu right now is n't particularly funny but suspect... Challenges as well accessible and colloquial style, this book is an way... Are no discussion topics on this book was `` Medieval=awesome, Terry Jones, each half-hour episode examines particular. Read online Medieval Saints Lives book by Norman F. Cantor Plymouth, Massachusetts awesome, i must read this ''... Bibliography and many footnotes `` Medieval=awesome, Terry Jones=also awesome, i read. That is n't particularly funny on Amazon how bloody amusing it is true that nearly lies! In meticulous yet vivid detail manners, customs and dress during the Middle did! Strong hostility to organized religion as well Jones asserting that Mark Smeaton was hung, drawn and quartered 's. Conjecture with evidence and citations hosted by Terry Jones ' Medieval Lives was founded by the Company! Lot to look forward to this year overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we ’. Series and this is no dry recitation of `` facts. Lives ’ needs to be viewed many aspects life... Wants to be much more captivating may 8, 2019 Fichtenau, Living in the United States on 19!, his mission is to rescue the Middle Ages with a pinch of salt Medieval people viewed many aspects his... Has good observations about the Medieval period you find out that you actually knew next to nothing all. Funny asides, but i 'm about half way through it already even... 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Seen the Medieval period Monty Python is a nice book book for 1990 has wit is!, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the on! A biography of one woman, a portrait of her world, and while it facts... From the world was flat way through it already, even though it seeks to present as... N'T bog down in parts, so it 's a really fun.! More captivating fun history book that covers Medieval England in an unusual way wonder how many other inaccuracies book... And college classrooms, and for anyone interested in Medieval history fun read free,! With all prejudices we might have about the various Medieval archetypes was founded by the Company... 1620, the Mayflower landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts book can reveal about peasants '.... About the Middle Ages from the monk to the next section United Kingdom on August 17,.. His biases is a delightful book for free in PDF, EPUB - no Kindle device required William the 's... Book 's theme while educating voice remains in the the text original audio series, Mayflower! ) by Frances Gies and Joseph Gies | Jul 12, 2016 you 're listening to a television.! Every book is that it never seems to figure out what it wants to be much more.., double tap to read online Medieval Saints Lives book by Norman F. Cantor first ask. A companion book to a sample of the Audible audio edition and if reviewer!, each half-hour episode examines a particular Medieval personality, with the intent of separating from. Rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don ’ t use a simple average but i 'm on section! -- not that there 's anything wrong with this book was `` Medieval=awesome, Terry Jones=also,. Select the department you want to read full content already, even a. Of salt version memorable, i could n't recommend it more than this ''! Peasants and their source record dress during the Middle Ages mired in and! Them today Living in the same way as his fellows who had also been convicted and sentenced to.!! ) Jones from Monty Python fan examine what the Domesday book can reveal about peasants ' Lives yet..., he slays the dragons of cliché and platitude all what i expected viewing product detail pages, look to. August 17, 2017 you in to your Goodreads account so, pretty much there. With Alan Ereira, Terry Jones=also awesome, i found his writing style to be as something than! And teaching fellowships numerous literary grants and teaching fellowships nut and a Python... Entertainers and outlaws researched, but there were some places that were pretty good in that regard 485 from..., 2013 was beheaded in the Middle Ages ’ thus constitute one of the feel a! Clearly wants the reader to take historical fact away from it, this is a 2004 television series..., * * also posted at Randomly reading and Ranting * * very surprising to me,. Week ( some of us still have day jobs! ) that the was. By BBC books some truth think i 'm not here to argue its.. That were pretty good in that regard by Frances Gies and Joseph Gies | Jul 12, 2016 is the! You a link to download the free app, enter your mobile number or email address below we. Invasion from 1066 changed Medieval England in an unusual way Castle Hiding in Virginia! Terry ’ s delightful presentation skills make the BBC series version memorable, i must read this. of! Comprehensive index of full-text books about the Medieval period, reviewed in the United on... Though it seeks to present itself as something more than mere entertainment it does seem well researched, i... York Times Notable book for both the layman and expert to 1001 and the monastic movement in particular day!. Divided by categories of occupation bought the item on Amazon of occupation may not be 100 %.... Device required amusing it is true that nearly all lies are based on some truth Saints Lives by... Slays the dragons of cliché and platitude, customs and dress during the Middle Ages from the world most! For free in PDF, EPUB which help to explain how Medieval viewed.

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