Life on a Mediaeval Barony is a social history of a typical feudal community in thirteenth-century Europe. Chapters on the castle, family, peasants, warfare, and monastic life give a vivid introduction to medieval daily life and institutions. It is worth hearing for its clear picture of feudal society.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES Life on a Mediaeval Barony A Picture of a Typical Feudal Community in the Thirteenth Century By William Stearns Davis, Ph.D. Professor of History in the University of Minnesota ILLUSTRATED Harper & Brothers Publishers New York and London MCMXXIII Copyright, 1922 By Harper & Brothers Printed in the U. S. A. First Edition
G-1 To Ephraim Emerton Master Interpreter of Mediæval History this book is dedicated by an ever-grateful pupil. Table of Contents Chapter Page I. The Fief of St. Aliquis; Its History and Denizens 1 II. The Castle of St. Aliquis 16 III. How the Castle Wakes. Baronial Hospitality 41 IV. Games and Diversions. Falconry and Hunting. The Baroness's Garden 51 V. The Family of the Baron. Life of the Women 70 VI. The Matter of Clothes. A Feudal Wedding 88 VII. Cookery and Mealtimes 113 VIII. The Jongleurs and Secular Literature and Poetry 132 IX. The Feudal Relationship. Doing Homage 146 X. Justice and Punishments 159 XI. The Education of a Feudal Nobleman 176 XII. Feudal Weapons and Horses. Dubbing a Knight 189 XIII. The Tourney 208 XIV. A Baronial Feud. The Siege of a Castle 224 XV. A Great Feudal Battle—Bouvines 241 XVI. The Life of the Peasants 253 XVII. Charity. Care of the Sick. Funerals 275
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