A Medieval Miscellany

Explores the contexts, connections and meanings of 100 striking and unusual passages from the Middle Ages.

Where were the frogs housed on Noah's Ark? Why were forks introduced? And how many guardian angels do we have? Drawing from a wide range of sources, this anthology explores the contexts, connections and meanings of 100 striking and unusual passages from the Middle Ages. Through chronicles, love poetry, bestiaries, and more, bestselling historian Robert Bartlett illuminates disparate aspects of medieval European life and thought across countries and centuries, offering insights that are engaging, personal and often surprising. Despite their differences, these are all words written by a person in the Middle Ages, and capture a voice from the Europe of hundreds of years ago. From fairies to fornication and from pets to passports, this marvellous miscellany from a master historian includes something for everyone.