Manners, Customs, and Dress During the Middle Ages and During the Renaissance Period

by P.L. Jacob

The Manners and Customs of the Middle Ages:--this subject is of the greatest interest, not only to the man of science, but to the man of the world also. In it, too, "we retrace not only one single period, but two periods quite distinct one from the other." In the first, the public and private customs offer a curious mixture of barbarism and civilisation. We find barbarian, Roman, and Christian customs and character in presence of each other, mixed up in the same society, and very often in the same individuals. What an ardent struggle during that long period! This new order of things must be established by means of the elements supplied at once by the barbarian, Roman, and Christian world--a prodigious creation, the working of which occupied the whole of the Middle Ages. Hardly does modern society, civilised by Christianity, reach the fullness of its power, than it divides itself to follow different paths. Ancient art and literature resuscitates because custom insensibly takes that direction. Under that influence, everything is modified both in private and public life. The history of the human race does not present a subject more vast or more interesting.

This work, devoted to the vivid and faithful description of the Manners and Customs of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, answers fully to the requirements of contemporary times. We are, in fact, no longer content with the chronological narration and simple nomenclatures which formerly were considered sufficient for education. We no longer imagine that the history of our institutions has less interest than that of our wars, nor that the annals of the humbler classes are irrelevant to those of the privileged orders. We go further still. What is above all sought for in historical works nowadays is the physiognomy, the inmost character of past generations. "How did our fathers live?" is a daily question. "What institutions had they? What were their political rights? Can you not place before us their pastimes, their hunting parties, their meals, and all sorts of scenes, sad or gay, which composed their home life? We should like to follow them in public and private occupations, and to know their manner of living hourly, as we know our own."
In a high order of ideas, what great facts serve as a foundation to our history and that of the modern world! We have first royalty, which, weak and debased under the Merovingians, rises and establishes itself energetically under Pépin and Charlemagne, to degenerate under Louis le Débonnaire and Charles le Chauve. After having dared a second time to found the Empire of the Caesars, it quickly sees its sovereignty replaced by feudal rights, and all its rights usurped by the nobles, and has to struggle for many centuries to recover its rights one by one.

Feudalism, evidently of Germanic origin, will also attract our attention, and we shall ascertain that military service is the essence itself of the "fief," and that thence springs feudal right. On our way we shall protest against civil wars, and shall welcome emancipation and the formation of the communes. Following the thousand details of the life of the people, we shall see the slave become serf, and the serf become peasant. The counters of dealers, fairs and markets, manufactures, commerce, and industry, also merit our attention; we must search deeply into corporations of tradesmen, examining their statutes, and initiating ourselves into their business. Fashion and dress are also a manifestation of public and private customs; for that reason we must give them particular attention.

Although people interested in history and anthropolgy will enjoy this delightful read, this book will make a great addition to any collection.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Reference, Historical, Medieval History, Classics

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1877

About the author

Pseudonym of Paul LaCroix, also known as "P.L. Jacob, bibliophile" and "Le Bibliophile Jacob".

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh]

An encompassing background of the Middle Ages and Renaissance period is presented in this work. It cover both the elite and the peasants looking at among other things customs, living and work conditions, food, dress, and religion. It gives a good overview and is an interesting addition to the library of anyone interested in the history of Europe during these periods.

[Noka]

I love this book. It's one of those books that you can put down and pick up as you wish, and always learn something new. The book covers a wide range of topics from divorce law to banquet menus. By the end of the book, I felt as though I had a complete understanding of the time and it's setting.

[Kilian Metcalf]

I was too strapped for cash to buy a hard copy. Unfortunately Kindle doesn't show any of the illustrations that would make this book invaluable to an SCA member. Still, filled with good background information. You get what you pay for, and this book was free.

[Heather]

The sections on Jewish and Romani people were incredibly fucking racist. There are better books out there.

[Danelle]

This is a good introduction to customs and dress, despite its age. I would recommend looking at some of the newer works in this area, as many are more detailed.

[Tech Nossomy]

Expansive and well-written, this book provides a wealth of information on life in the Middle Ages by both the working class and the bourgeoisie. Even though the subject matter is largely France-centric, it is often brought into a more Europe-broad context as well as where applicable historical context, ie Roman / Egyptian / etc.

The many anecdotes are another reason the book is highly readable. Though first published in 1877, the information presented still largely holds up and brings to the fore the message that society back then was, as it is now, dependent on societal organisation, such as guilds, money exchange, taxation, and trade agreements. Writing style is matter of factly.

Available on Project Gutenberg.

[Mario Sergio]

É interessante observar e verificar os costumes desta época da história e sobre o qual as pessoas tem poucas e distorcidas impressões.

São abordadas questões sobre as condições das pessoas, costumes, privilégios, direitos, a vida privada nos castelos, comidas, caça e jogos, comércio, dinheiro e finanças e muitos mais coisas sobre povos tais como ciganos e judeus.

O que peca é a formatação. As ilustrações estão indicadas, mas não estão nessa versão razão pela qual eu dei apenas 3 estrelas.

Mas vale a pena para quem desejar se informar sobre esses e outros aspectos da vida na idade média.

[Alan Lampe]

Paul covers many aspects of medieval life. You really get a better understanding of how people lived back then. There isn't a bibliography at the end, or an index, or even a notes section. Which is slightly confusing because at the bottom of some pages are letters, ranging from A to 4A. I couldn't find anything that indicates what those letters are for. Still, if you are an author and want to start learning about the Medieval Life during the Middle Ages, this is a wonderful resource.

[Doris Raines]

NICE BOOK.

[Annette McIntyre]

Could be useful

Lots of descriptions are given for clothing from the time periods of the title. However, there are no pictures, even though the text refers to many illustrations.

[Tracy Shea]

Enjoyed this book on the intricacies of my favorite historical time period.

[Lindsay]

This was a painful book to read, but finally it is done.

[Jorvon Carter]

It's a little biased in favor of Christianity, but otherwise it contains a lot of information about the European Middle Ages.

[Jason]

Absent data from most of the leader's soundbites past, present, and more than probably the future.

[Deborah Pommer]

I listened to the audiobook edition while at work.

[Velvetink]

kindle

[Chic]

Good review, worth the read.