Medieval Night

Author: Jean Verdon
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: This book describes the medieval nights illuminated by oil lamps, candles, and torches. It is vastly different from the modern nights, where cities are aglow with neon lights. In that era of day labor and night rest, the night was equally restless. From noble festivals to commoner vigils and chats, from royal banquets to ordinary taverns for recreation, from the fear of darkness to humanity's conquest of the night, and the influence of religion, the author, using extensive and detailed materials, paints a comprehensive and clear picture of medieval nights. To view the Middle Ages as a "Dark Age" is a relatively common and popular historical notion. Compared to the brilliant ancient Greek and Roman periods that preceded it and the Renaissance that followed, it appears somewhat dim. However, during its nearly thousand years of development in Europe, the Middle Ages experienced feudalism, the Crusades, the Hundred Years' War between England and France, and the civil wars between the Duke of Burgundy and the royal family. It gave rise to a wealth of famous literary and artistic works, while religion held a significant place in social life, gradually forming a medieval culture centered around Christian beliefs. This book is a specialized work exploring the cultural phenomena of this unique historical period.