Ian Mortimer's approach to writing subjective history is the style I have been waiting my entire life for. His in-depth explanations of every-day life one would encounter in Medieval England as a tourist from the modern day is one a true lover of history can appreciate and aspire to. His topics cover ranges as wide as the lifestyles and differences between villeins, freemen and nobles; the relation between religion, medicinal understanding/beliefs and superstition; the differences between the expectations of men, women and children in society; and the differences between rural living versus city living.
However, although I'm sure he used many valuable sources for his information, he doesn't quite go as in-depth, nor cover as many topics, as one would like. He does cover what one would expect to see and experience as a guest in a lord's house and that of a common freeman, but not if one were a lord. Also, though he quickly skims over the protocol for going before the king, he does not cover as much information about the royal household as he does others, and especially not if one were a guest of the king, as some monarchist historians (such as myself) would find satisfactory.
Though there are many innuendos alluding to modernity's "progress for the sake of progress" being better than the simplicity of the topical era, the overall writing and composition of the book is quite exemplary, not to mention the information and presentation he utilizes that history readers would not find in hardly any other books. All of this undoubtedly makes Mr. Mortimer's book a must-read for fans of subjective history; the Medieval era; and the development of society before, during, and after the advent of the Black Death.
The Historyian's Rating
****&1/2 (Four and One-Half Stars)
For more information on this book, please comment on this posting.
However, although I'm sure he used many valuable sources for his information, he doesn't quite go as in-depth, nor cover as many topics, as one would like. He does cover what one would expect to see and experience as a guest in a lord's house and that of a common freeman, but not if one were a lord. Also, though he quickly skims over the protocol for going before the king, he does not cover as much information about the royal household as he does others, and especially not if one were a guest of the king, as some monarchist historians (such as myself) would find satisfactory.
Though there are many innuendos alluding to modernity's "progress for the sake of progress" being better than the simplicity of the topical era, the overall writing and composition of the book is quite exemplary, not to mention the information and presentation he utilizes that history readers would not find in hardly any other books. All of this undoubtedly makes Mr. Mortimer's book a must-read for fans of subjective history; the Medieval era; and the development of society before, during, and after the advent of the Black Death.
The Historyian's Rating
****&1/2 (Four and One-Half Stars)
For more information on this book, please comment on this posting.
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