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Daily Life in Chaucer's England
The medieval world comes alive in this indispensable hands-on resource to life as it was actually lived--with authentic recipes, clothing patterns, songs, dances, and games. The first book on medieval England to arise out of the living history movement, it recreates the daily life of ordinary people, not just the aristocracy, by combining a hands-on approach with the best of current research. The how-to sections are all based on original sources and much of the material is made available here for the first time. The most basic facts of life are systematically covered in a readily accessible format organized for easy reference. Clearly illustrated with over 125 drawings, patterns, and diagrams, plus sheet music, it provides a treasure trove of information for classroom and library use and for those interested in recreating aspects of medieval life.
The work is organized into sections on Chaucer's World (social, religious, and economic aspects of life), The Course of Life (birth, childhood, and adolescence, education, marriage, and old age), The Cycles of Time (which concludes with a calendar of the medieval year describing the festivals and events of each month), The Living Environment (including houses, villages, towns, and travel), Clothing and Accessories (including instruction for making complete medieval male and female outfits and braiding authentic medieval lace), Arms and Armor (which describes medieval armor from the point of view of the wearer), Food and Drink (featuring a selection of recipes), and Entertainments (songs with sheet music and instructions for authentic games and dances of the period). A chronology of medieval England, a glossary, appendixes with information and ideas on organizing a medieval event, and suggestions for further reading complete the work. This is an indispensable resource for classroom and school and public libraries because it gives readers a true understanding of what it would actually be like to live in 14th-century England.
The work is organized into sections on Chaucer's World (social, religious, and economic aspects of life), The Course of Life (birth, childhood, and adolescence, education, marriage, and old age), The Cycles of Time (which concludes with a calendar of the medieval year describing the festivals and events of each month), The Living Environment (including houses, villages, towns, and travel), Clothing and Accessories (including instruction for making complete medieval male and female outfits and braiding authentic medieval lace), Arms and Armor (which describes medieval armor from the point of view of the wearer), Food and Drink (featuring a selection of recipes), and Entertainments (songs with sheet music and instructions for authentic games and dances of the period). A chronology of medieval England, a glossary, appendixes with information and ideas on organizing a medieval event, and suggestions for further reading complete the work. This is an indispensable resource for classroom and school and public libraries because it gives readers a true understanding of what it would actually be like to live in 14th-century England.
252 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 8, 2017
I picked up this book at the library when I was about 13, and I absolutely loved it. I read it several times and absorbed a lot of interesting tidbits. It's one of the books that really got me into English history. I'm so glad that I saw it on here because I could never remember what it was called!
September 6, 2022
An incredible source that was so helpful for my research (focusing on 1375 England). Would highly suggest for anyone wishing to be involved with living history or reenacting. The final chapters include sewing patterns, recipes, game rules, and music that helps to bring the medieval world alive.
October 22, 2023
Excellent. I've read several of Forgeng's "Daily Life" books. His prose is very enjoyable and his books are incredibly detailed. YES, they're geared towards living history persons, but that's not the point. For anyone who is even remotely interested in how people of the past actually lived day to day - from food, to clothing, to manufacturing, to faith, societal structure, leisure, games, songs, this is it.
September 21, 2008
For the record, when I picked this book up at the library I didn't realize that it is specifically geared toward historical reenactors, aka those dorks from the SCA. I guess it's a testament to my own dorkiness that I didn't put it down when I made that discovery, and, in fact, that I read the entire book in just a few days. This is a great cultural history of life in England in the middle ages. It's informative and well documented without being dry. But no, in case you are wondering, you will not see me donning a cloak and kirtle anytime soon.
April 9, 2008
I just picked up this book and it is just fabulous! Talk about wonderful useless facts! It has the Lord's prayer and the Apostles Creed in Chaucerian English and Latin. It has all coin values w/ the modern equivalents. Food and clothing and all Chaucerian household goods w/ their sample prices and daily wages.Everything! This is one awesome book!
March 28, 2011
When I told my boyfriend I was reading a book about medieval England, he said "sounds boring." But he was wrong. This book was really incredibly interesting to me. It was written in an understandable way, but wasn't so dumbed-down that it was irritating, and I very much liked the fact that it had actual recipes, clothing patterns, etc.
September 5, 2012
The book is a very good first kind of reference to not only the 14th century of merry old England, but is similarly a good reference to the beginning medieval recreational person, whither for just fun or something of a more serious side. Bonus for me, a happy accident that I read Will McLean's blog, who is on the book listed as an 'and' author, though for some reason left off here.
March 3, 2013
This was a very good introduction to daily life--warning, though--parts of it are aimed at reenactors (clothing patterns, recipes). I found this tedious and rather wished--at least in the clothing section--that I'd just been provided with basic sketches of what the clothing looked like worn instead of sketches of pieces of fabric.
July 18, 2015
I picked this up thinking it was just another daily life book like others I've read of similar titles. It is, however, more of a guide geared toward those who participate in re-enactments and such. It certainly does its job, providing clothing patterns, recipes, rules for games of the day, lyrics to songs, and much more. Interesting, even to those who are not into living history.
August 28, 2009
As I browsed the library shelves, I picked it up. I also read it in a few days and enjoyed it very much. It is filled with fun and useless details for those of us who like this kind of stuff.
October 16, 2009
Written largely for living history buffs, this is an excellent intro. Contains clothing patterns and medieval recipes for those interested in recreations.
November 30, 2011
Great refresher book on the middle ages--very readable and inspiring. Puts me in the mind to plot through my next project.
July 18, 2017
A reenacting guide to Chaucer's England. It includes pattern guides, recipes and the like. Suppliers list is obsolete, the book is 20 years old. Still not a bad read for non-reenactors.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews