All Things Medieval: An Encyclopedia of the Medieval World (2 Volume Set)

About this book

All Things Medieval: An Encyclopedia of the Medieval World covers the widest definition of "medieval Europe" possible not by covering history in the traditional textbook manner of listing wars leaders and significant historic events but by presenting detailed alphabetical entries that describe the artifacts of medieval Europe. By examining the hidden material culture and by presenting information about topics that few books coverpottery locks and keys shoes weaving looms barrels toys pets ink kitchen utensils and much morereaders get invaluable insights into the nature of life during that time period and area. The heartland European regions such as England France Italy and Germany are covered extensively and information regarding the objects of regions such as Byzantium Muslim Spain and Scandinavia are also included. For each topic of material culture the entry considers the full scope of the medieval periodroughly 5001450to give the reader a historical perspective of related traditions or inventions and describes the craftsmen and tools that produced it.