This is one of the first anthologies devoted to the writings of women in the Middle Ages. The fifteen women whose works are represented span seven centuries, eight languages, and ten regions or nationalities. Many are recognized, taught, and anthologized in their own countries but have been inaccessible to students in English. Others are little read today because their literary fortunes have paralleled fluctuations in literary taste and literary patronage. Katharina M. Wilson's introduction to the volume places these writers in historical context and explores the question of the female imagina... View More...
Beginning with an examination of the different stages of women's lives--childhood, virginity, marriage and widowhood, this Companion addresses various aspects of medieval life that affected women's writing. These include the nature of authorship in the period, the position of women at home or in nunneries, and their relationship to religion. Additional essays cover the lives and work of such prominent women writers as Heloise, Marie de France, Christine de Pizan, Julian of Norwich, Margery Kempe and Joan of Arc. A chronology and guides to further reading add information which students and scho... View More...
In their introduction to this anthology, James Bruce Ross and Mary Martin McLaughlin remind us that no area of the past is dead if we are alive to it. The variety, the complexity, the sheer humanity of the middle ages live most meaningfully in their own authentic voices. The Portable Medieval Reader assembles an entire chorus of those voices--of kings, warriors, prelates, merchants, artisans, chroniclers, and scholars--that together convey a lively, intimate impression of a world that might otherwise seem immeasurably alien. All the aspects and strata of medieval society are represented here: ... View More...
In their introduction to this anthology, James Bruce Ross and Mary Martin McLaughlin remind us that no area of the past is dead if we are alive to it. The variety, the complexity, the sheer humanity of the middle ages live most meaningfully in their own authentic voices. The Portable Medieval Reader assembles an entire chorus of those voices--of kings, warriors, prelates, merchants, artisans, chroniclers, and scholars--that together convey a lively, intimate impression of a world that might otherwise seem immeasurably alien. All the aspects and strata of medieval society are represented here: ... View More...
Drawing on art, artifacts, and literature that was left behind, these richly illustrated volumes recount captivating tales of everyday life in long-ago vanished worlds. View More...
This fascinating new book reveals the origins of the Vikings--from Thor and Leif Erikson to Loki and the Valkyries--and the tales that have influenced our own lives. For thousands of years, Vikings have held a storied place in our culture--their distinct appearance, their mighty longships, their reputation for causing death and destruction. But who were these strange and mysterious folk? The Book of Viking Myths retells the stories of the Viking people, with myths of their gods and goddesses, monsters, and great heroes. From tales of the beautiful and powerful Freyja, to the gold-toothed Heimd... View More...
This fascinating new book reveals the origins of the Vikings--from Thor and Leif Erikson to Loki and the Valkyries--and the tales that have influenced our own lives. For thousands of years, Vikings have held a storied place in our culture--their distinct appearance, their mighty longships, their reputation for causing death and destruction. But who were these strange and mysterious folk? The Book of Viking Myths retells the stories of the Viking people, with myths of their gods and goddesses, monsters, and great heroes. From tales of the beautiful and powerful Freyja, to the gold-toothed Heimd... View More...
The titles in this series provide fascinating facts on themed topics from science to nature to history. Each book answers commonly asked questions specific to its topic. View More...
The civilisation of the Ancient Greeks has been immensely influential on the language, politics, educational systems, philosophy, science and arts of Western culture. As well as instigating itself as the birthplace of the Olympics, Ancient Greece is famous for its literature, philosophy, mythology and the beautiful architecture- to which thousands of tourists flock every year. This entertaining guide introduces readers to the amazing world of the Ancient Greeks. It offers a complete rundown of Greek history alongside fascinating insights into daily life in Ancient Greece and a captivating over... View More...
