Night In The Middle Ages

by Jean Verdon

The technology and devices of the 21st century have done much to protect us from our in-built fear of the dark. To the medieval man and woman, night, particularly during the long winter months, was a time of superstitious demonic fantasies, drunkenness, thievery and even murder. This well-written and almost lyrical study, now available in English, draws on literary and documentary evidence to examine what life was like at night in the town and in the country. Verdon also considers what people did to fend off the darkness, such as bonfires and taverns, and what medieval sleeping arrangements were like. Finally, the study examines the spiritual aspect of night as a time of divine visions.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

248 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1994

About the author

Jean Verdon, professeur d'histoire médiévale à l'université de Limoges, a publié de nombreux ouvrages, notamment Les Loisirs au Moyen Age, chez Perrin : Les Françaises pendant la guerre de Cent Ans (couronné par l'Académie française), La Nuit au Moyen Age, Le Plaisir au Moyen Age et Voyager au Moyen Age.

Reviews

[Grenouille78 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so bored, but I slogged through it. Not what I expected. Instead, it's a string of anecdotes that may or may not support the point the author was trying to make.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as 'At Day's Close'...