Artifacts from Medieval Europe: (Daily Life through Artifacts)

Using artifacts as primary sources, this book enables students to comprehensively assess and analyze historic evidence in the context of the medieval period. This new addition to the Daily Life through Artifacts series provides not only the full benefit of a reference work with its comprehensive explanations and primary sources, but also supplies images of the objects, bringing a particular aspect of the medieval world to life. Each entry in Artifacts from Medieval Europe explains and expands upon the cultural significance of the artifact depicted. Artifacts are divided into such thematic categories as domestic life, religion, and transportation. Considered collectively, the various artifacts provide a composite look at daily life in the Middle Ages. Unlike medieval history encyclopedias that feature brief reference entries, this book uses artifacts to examine major aspects of daily life. Each artifact entry features an introduction, a description, an examination of its contextual significance, and a list of further resources. This approach trains students how to best analyze primary sources. General readers with an interest in history will also benefit from this approach to learning that enables a more complete appreciation of past events and circumstances.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments Introduction How to Evaluate Artifacts Chronology of Events AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY Butter Keg Horse Collar Plow Sheepfold ARMOR, WEAPONS, AND TOOLS Arming Sword Hounskull Helmet Scabbard Chape Spurs Trebuchet ART AND ARCHITECTURE Flying Buttress Gargoyle Medieval Barn Stained Glass Tapestry COMMUNICATION AND BUSINESS Charter City Seal Money Bag Printing Press DOMESTIC ITEMS Brassiere Comb Cradle Garderobe Loom Penannular Brooch Poulaine Tunic ENTERTAINMENT Bone Ice Skate Chessboard Citole Dance Tournaments RELIGION Icon Jewish Cemetery, Prague Misericord Pilgrim's Badge Psalter Q'uran Reliquary SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Astrolabe Clock Eyeglasses Mason's Divider/Compass TRANSPORTATION Cog Saddle Viking Longboat Select Bibliography Index

About the Author :
James B. Tschen-Emmons teaches history at North Idaho College and mythology at Northern Virginia Community College's Extended Learning Institute.

Review :
Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and general readers. The narrative is on the academic side, making this volume a fine resource on the time period for undergraduate-level students.