Medieval Lives

In Chaucer's People, Liza Picard guides us through the tumultuous world of the late 14th century in an ingenious, informative and entertaining way. Through the assorted cast of pilgrims Chaucer selected for The Canterbury Tales, Picard brings medieval social history to life and uncovers the detail behind Chaucer's poetic portraits. These are the lives lived beyond the court circles frequented by most of his well-heeled audience.

The parish, the lowest level of hierarchy in the medieval church, was the shared responsibility of the laity and the clergy. Most Christians were baptized, went to confession, were married, and were buried in the parish church or churchyard; in addition, business, legal settlements, sociability, and entertainment brought people to the church, uniting secular and sacred concerns.

Medieval England Spring, 998 AD. Brother Galen of Yarmwick is desperate to return to friend and family. So after the triumphal unveiling of the king’s gem encrusted Book of Hours, he’s ready to rush home. But just as he thinks life will go back to normal, the Bishop of Crowland orders Galen to accompany him to Rome. Galen thought the journey to Lundenburh was gruelling. How will he face an epic voyage of thousands of miles?

In the wake of the Roman Empire’s collapse, Italy found itself fractured. Among the Italians of the Middle Ages, the most famous - and controversial - man who sought to unify Italy was, somewhat fittingly, a Roman. Cola di Rienzo was a man whose life and actions have reverberated down the centuries, as his charismatic, yet unsuccessful dictatorship has spawned legends and comparisons with movements of later ages. His attempt to bring the greatness of Roman antiquity into the reality of the 14th century, the city’s lowest point, is inspiring on its face.

Eleanor of Aquitaine: The Life and Legacy of Medieval Europe’s Most Famous Queen attempts to provide an unbiased look at Eleanor's life by exploring the achievements and trials of the duchess-queen and deconstructing the “black legends” and other compelling tales that continue to envelop her to this day. You will learn about Eleanor of Aquitaine like never before.

Embark on a captivating journey through time with "From Serf to Citizen" as author Benjamin Miller, armed with a unique blend of business acumen and legal expertise, delves into the fascinating interplay between medieval structures and contemporary society. Unveiling the historical tapestry of serfdom, Miller skillfully navigates through the annals of time to provide a rich understanding of the roots that have shaped our modern world.