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Book List / Reference MaterialsPlease note most of the blurb information given, has been acquired from Amazon and Similar Online book stores...
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General Medieval
The Medieval Tailor's Assistant: Making Common Garments 1200-1500 by Sarah Thursfield
A comprehensive guide to making period clothes for living history, re-enactment, plays and pageants.
The Secret Middle Ages by Malcolm Jones
Using the wealth of medieval art, much of it unseen or ignored by museums and art historians, Malcolm Jones paints a compelling picture of life as imagined by the great mass of ordinary people between 1200 and 1500. The picture that emerges is of a civilisation that is both like and unlike our own, one that teems with the richness of life and its contradictions. Unlike most studies of the medieval world, it does not concern itself greatly with religious or aristocratic art but with the products of popular and folk art. Here we find beliefs and traditions rendered memorable by the vivid creative imagination and strong visual culture of the middle ages. Love, hatred, crime and punishment, proverbs, heaven on earth, husband-beating -- all feature in the jewellery, tableware, illustrations, carvings and textiles of the period. This book offers a major reassessment of the high medieval period. It will be essential reading for medievalists and those interested in the history of language and customs. It provides a brilliant and evocative picture of medieval Europe where people spent their time wearing their hearts on their sleeves, snapping sausages and getting bees in their bonnets.
Visual History of Costume: Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries by Margaret Scott
This forms part of a series designed for those who need reference material on the history of dress, using a series of illustrations as the central part of each book thus giving the reader an idea of what was worn and how. The clothes are described, explained, interpreted and arranged in date order. The reader may need to know whether a certain style was fashionable or unfashionable at a cetain time, ususal or unusual - such information is clearly and consistently laid out. An introduction outlines the broad developments of dress in the centruy, and a glossary explains the many technical terms. The text should be of use to students, designers and collectors. Margaret Scott is the author of "History of Dress: Late Gothic Europe 1400-1500".
Medieval Women: Social History Of Women In England 450-1500: A Social History of Women in England 450-1500, by Henrietta Leyser
Henrietta Leyser considers the problems and attitudes fundamental to every woman of the time: medieval views on sex, marriage and motherhood; the world of work and the experience of widowhood for peasant, townswoman and aristocrat. The intellectual and spiritual worlds of medieval women are also explored.
MEDIEVAL WOMEN celebrates the diversity and vitality of English women's lives in the Middle Ages.
A Brief History of Life in the Middle Ages, Martyn Whittock
Using wide-ranging evidence, Martyn Whittock shines a light on Britain in the Middle Ages, bringing it vividly to life. Thus we glimpse 11th century rural society through a conversation between a ploughman and his master. The life of Dick Whittington illuminates the rise of the urban elite. The stories of Roger ‘the Raker’ who drowned in his own sewage, a ‘merman’ imprisoned in Orford Castle and the sufferings of the Jews of Bristol reveal the extraordinary diversity of medieval society. Through these characters and events – and using the latest discoveries and research - the dynamic and engaging panorama of medieval England is revealed. Interesting facts include: When the life expectancy for women dropped to 26 years in Sierra Leone in 2002, following a catastrophic civil war, it was one year longer than the estimate for early medieval women. So great was the extent of church construction in the thirteenth century that it has been calculated it was the equivalent, in modern terms, of every family in England paying £500 every year, for the whole century! Murder rates for East Anglia, in the fourteenth century, were comparable with those of modern New York. For England generally the homicide rate was far higher than that of the urban USA today.
The Knight Triumphant: The High Middle Ages 1314-1485 by Stephen Turnbull
This book gives the complete story of the knight in the 14th and 15th centuries - his education and upbringing, his training, his war and allegiances, his weapons, strategies and tactics. From Edward III and the Black Prince to the fall of Richard III on Bosworth Field, all the drama, chivalry, fury and fanaticism is captured in graphic text description, archive illustrations of contemporary scenes, people and equipment, and modern photos of the battlefield and castles as they are now.
A comprehensive guide to making period clothes for living history, re-enactment, plays and pageants.
The Secret Middle Ages by Malcolm Jones
Using the wealth of medieval art, much of it unseen or ignored by museums and art historians, Malcolm Jones paints a compelling picture of life as imagined by the great mass of ordinary people between 1200 and 1500. The picture that emerges is of a civilisation that is both like and unlike our own, one that teems with the richness of life and its contradictions. Unlike most studies of the medieval world, it does not concern itself greatly with religious or aristocratic art but with the products of popular and folk art. Here we find beliefs and traditions rendered memorable by the vivid creative imagination and strong visual culture of the middle ages. Love, hatred, crime and punishment, proverbs, heaven on earth, husband-beating -- all feature in the jewellery, tableware, illustrations, carvings and textiles of the period. This book offers a major reassessment of the high medieval period. It will be essential reading for medievalists and those interested in the history of language and customs. It provides a brilliant and evocative picture of medieval Europe where people spent their time wearing their hearts on their sleeves, snapping sausages and getting bees in their bonnets.
Visual History of Costume: Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries by Margaret Scott
This forms part of a series designed for those who need reference material on the history of dress, using a series of illustrations as the central part of each book thus giving the reader an idea of what was worn and how. The clothes are described, explained, interpreted and arranged in date order. The reader may need to know whether a certain style was fashionable or unfashionable at a cetain time, ususal or unusual - such information is clearly and consistently laid out. An introduction outlines the broad developments of dress in the centruy, and a glossary explains the many technical terms. The text should be of use to students, designers and collectors. Margaret Scott is the author of "History of Dress: Late Gothic Europe 1400-1500".
Medieval Women: Social History Of Women In England 450-1500: A Social History of Women in England 450-1500, by Henrietta Leyser
Henrietta Leyser considers the problems and attitudes fundamental to every woman of the time: medieval views on sex, marriage and motherhood; the world of work and the experience of widowhood for peasant, townswoman and aristocrat. The intellectual and spiritual worlds of medieval women are also explored.
MEDIEVAL WOMEN celebrates the diversity and vitality of English women's lives in the Middle Ages.
A Brief History of Life in the Middle Ages, Martyn Whittock
Using wide-ranging evidence, Martyn Whittock shines a light on Britain in the Middle Ages, bringing it vividly to life. Thus we glimpse 11th century rural society through a conversation between a ploughman and his master. The life of Dick Whittington illuminates the rise of the urban elite. The stories of Roger ‘the Raker’ who drowned in his own sewage, a ‘merman’ imprisoned in Orford Castle and the sufferings of the Jews of Bristol reveal the extraordinary diversity of medieval society. Through these characters and events – and using the latest discoveries and research - the dynamic and engaging panorama of medieval England is revealed. Interesting facts include: When the life expectancy for women dropped to 26 years in Sierra Leone in 2002, following a catastrophic civil war, it was one year longer than the estimate for early medieval women. So great was the extent of church construction in the thirteenth century that it has been calculated it was the equivalent, in modern terms, of every family in England paying £500 every year, for the whole century! Murder rates for East Anglia, in the fourteenth century, were comparable with those of modern New York. For England generally the homicide rate was far higher than that of the urban USA today.
The Knight Triumphant: The High Middle Ages 1314-1485 by Stephen Turnbull
This book gives the complete story of the knight in the 14th and 15th centuries - his education and upbringing, his training, his war and allegiances, his weapons, strategies and tactics. From Edward III and the Black Prince to the fall of Richard III on Bosworth Field, all the drama, chivalry, fury and fanaticism is captured in graphic text description, archive illustrations of contemporary scenes, people and equipment, and modern photos of the battlefield and castles as they are now.
Museum of London Publications
The Museum of London Publishes a very useful range of books this is just a selection.
-Dress Accessories 1150-1450 by Geoff Egan & Frances Pritchard
Medieval Finds from Excavations in London:3. Describes nearly 1,300 objects found in recent archaeological excavations in London, including brooches, buckles, pendants, buttons & rings. Essential reading for anyone interested in Medieval fashion.
-The Medieval Household by Geoff Egan
This book brings together the astonishing diversity of excavated furnishings and artefacts from medieval London homes. These include roofing and other structural items, decorative features and fittings, and an assortment of culinary utensils, writing instruments, and toys and weights. Illustrating some 1,000 items, the catalogue provides a fascinating account of how metalwork and glassware manufacturing trends changed during the period covered, while close dating of many of the finds has resulted in many new insights into life at the time.
-Textiles & Clothing 1150-1450 by Elisabeth Crowfoot, Frances Pritchard & Kay Staniland
Medieval Finds from Excavations in London:4. A study of the extensive finds of Medieval textiles from archaeological digs in London, including knitting, tapestries and exotic fabrics. Invaluable source for students of fashion.
-Shoes & Pattens by Francis Grew & Margrethe de Neergaard
Medieval Finds from Excavations in London: 2. Describes and illustrates many different styles of Medieval footwear, based on archaeological finds in London. An invaluable source of information for anyone interested in costume history.
The Museum of London Publishes a very useful range of books this is just a selection.
-Dress Accessories 1150-1450 by Geoff Egan & Frances Pritchard
Medieval Finds from Excavations in London:3. Describes nearly 1,300 objects found in recent archaeological excavations in London, including brooches, buckles, pendants, buttons & rings. Essential reading for anyone interested in Medieval fashion.
-The Medieval Household by Geoff Egan
This book brings together the astonishing diversity of excavated furnishings and artefacts from medieval London homes. These include roofing and other structural items, decorative features and fittings, and an assortment of culinary utensils, writing instruments, and toys and weights. Illustrating some 1,000 items, the catalogue provides a fascinating account of how metalwork and glassware manufacturing trends changed during the period covered, while close dating of many of the finds has resulted in many new insights into life at the time.
-Textiles & Clothing 1150-1450 by Elisabeth Crowfoot, Frances Pritchard & Kay Staniland
Medieval Finds from Excavations in London:4. A study of the extensive finds of Medieval textiles from archaeological digs in London, including knitting, tapestries and exotic fabrics. Invaluable source for students of fashion.
-Shoes & Pattens by Francis Grew & Margrethe de Neergaard
Medieval Finds from Excavations in London: 2. Describes and illustrates many different styles of Medieval footwear, based on archaeological finds in London. An invaluable source of information for anyone interested in costume history.
Battles of the Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses: A Concise History, by Charles RossAn illustrated narrative of the events, and analysis of the personalities, involved in the dynastic struggle between the forces of Lancaster and those York for the English throne.
Medieval Warfare: A History by Maurice Keen
(700-1500) examines major developments in the methods of warfare from the time of Charlemagne through to the end of the Crusades. The result is a rich and fascinating history of a culture steeped in martial ideas, whose aristocrats were also warriors in a society organized by its desire to wage war.
Medieval Warfare: A History by Maurice Keen
(700-1500) examines major developments in the methods of warfare from the time of Charlemagne through to the end of the Crusades. The result is a rich and fascinating history of a culture steeped in martial ideas, whose aristocrats were also warriors in a society organized by its desire to wage war.
Osprey Publishing
These books are a nice way to get to grips with 3 of the biggest battles of the wars of the roses.
Towton 1461 England's bloodiest battle by Christopher Gravett
On a bitterly cold Palm Sunday, 29 March 1461, the army of King Edward IV met that of his Lancastrian enemies on a snow-covered battlefield south of the village of Towton in Yorkshire. The struggle lasted all day in the longest and bloodiest battle of the Wars of the Roses. With the arrival of Yorkist reinforcements under the Duke of Norfolk, the Lancastrian line eventually broke and their troops fled, many being caught and slaughtered in the death trap known as ‘Bloody Meadow’. Christopher Gravett examines the campaign that marked the resurgence of the Yorkist cause and established Edward IV as king
Tewkesbury 1471 The last Yorkist victory by Christopher Gravett
In this book Christopher Gravett details the climactic events of 1471 and the battle that virtually extinguished the Lancastrian cause. After the crushing Yorkist victory at Towton in 1461, King Edward IV appeared to have triumphed in England’s bloody Wars of the Roses. The Lancastrian King Henry VI was even a prisoner in the Tower of London. By 1470, however, Edward’s erstwhile ally the Earl of Warwick – The ‘Kingmaker’ – had joined the Lancastrians and a final reckoning was inevitable. Warwick perished at Barnet in April 1471, and on 4 May Edward confronted his enemies, including Edward, Prince and last hope of the House of Lancaster, at Tewkesbury.
Bosworth 1485 Last charge of the Plantagenets by Christopher Gravett
The battle of Bosworth effectively put an end to the dynastic struggle known as the Wars of the Roses. Guiding the reader from the campaign’s origins to its aftermath, and covering the commanders and forces of King Richard III and Henry Tudor, this is a complete treatment of one of the most important events in English history. Shakespeare was to immortalize the battle and Richard’s death in Richard III, and the life and reign of the last Plantagenet have sparked centuries of debate. Christopher Gravett cuts through myth and propaganda as he clearly details the course of this pivotal campaign.
These books are a nice way to get to grips with 3 of the biggest battles of the wars of the roses.
Towton 1461 England's bloodiest battle by Christopher Gravett
On a bitterly cold Palm Sunday, 29 March 1461, the army of King Edward IV met that of his Lancastrian enemies on a snow-covered battlefield south of the village of Towton in Yorkshire. The struggle lasted all day in the longest and bloodiest battle of the Wars of the Roses. With the arrival of Yorkist reinforcements under the Duke of Norfolk, the Lancastrian line eventually broke and their troops fled, many being caught and slaughtered in the death trap known as ‘Bloody Meadow’. Christopher Gravett examines the campaign that marked the resurgence of the Yorkist cause and established Edward IV as king
Tewkesbury 1471 The last Yorkist victory by Christopher Gravett
In this book Christopher Gravett details the climactic events of 1471 and the battle that virtually extinguished the Lancastrian cause. After the crushing Yorkist victory at Towton in 1461, King Edward IV appeared to have triumphed in England’s bloody Wars of the Roses. The Lancastrian King Henry VI was even a prisoner in the Tower of London. By 1470, however, Edward’s erstwhile ally the Earl of Warwick – The ‘Kingmaker’ – had joined the Lancastrians and a final reckoning was inevitable. Warwick perished at Barnet in April 1471, and on 4 May Edward confronted his enemies, including Edward, Prince and last hope of the House of Lancaster, at Tewkesbury.
Bosworth 1485 Last charge of the Plantagenets by Christopher Gravett
The battle of Bosworth effectively put an end to the dynastic struggle known as the Wars of the Roses. Guiding the reader from the campaign’s origins to its aftermath, and covering the commanders and forces of King Richard III and Henry Tudor, this is a complete treatment of one of the most important events in English history. Shakespeare was to immortalize the battle and Richard’s death in Richard III, and the life and reign of the last Plantagenet have sparked centuries of debate. Christopher Gravett cuts through myth and propaganda as he clearly details the course of this pivotal campaign.
Arm's and Armour
Arms & Armor of the Medieval Knight: An Illustrated History of Weaponry in the Middle Ages by David Edge
Beautifully illustrated history of weaponry in the Middle Ages. Wonderful overview traces the development of weaponry and armour from early chain mail and helmets to the elaborate full plate armor of the 16th century. With glossary of terms, 2,702 illustrations.
Beautifully illustrated history of weaponry in the Middle Ages. Wonderful overview traces the development of weaponry and armour from early chain mail and helmets to the elaborate full plate armor of the 16th century. With glossary of terms, 2,702 illustrations.
Archery
The Medieval Archer by Jim Bradbury
It is a delight to read a book which recognises the importance of warfare in medieval times...also...discusses the changing role of the archer in medieval society. SIR STEVEN RUNCIMAN This book traces the history of the archer in the medieval period, from the Norman Conquest to the Wars of the Roses. From a close study of early evidence, Mr Bradbury shows that the archer's role before the time of Edward I was an important but rarely documented one, and that his new prominence in the fourteenth century was the result of changes in development of military tactics rather than the introduction of the famous `longbow'. A second thread of the book examines the archer's role in society, with particular reference to that most famous of all archers, Robin Hood. The final chapters look at the archer in the early fifteenth century and then chronicle the rise of the handgun as the major infantry weapon at the bow's expense. JIM BRADBURY writes and lectures on battles and warfare in England and France in the middle ages.
Longbow: A Social and Military History by Robert Hardy
This edition chronicles the history of the longbow from the earliest known example used 8000 years ago, through its coming of age at the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt, to its use as a hunting and sporting weapon, and its present-day status in Britain. The book contains the first authoritative account of the archery equipment found in Henry VIII's warship the Mary Rose; describes the archers themselves, their equipment, training, uniform and terms of service; examines the fact and fiction of the Robin Hood legend, the reasons why the French never took to the weapon and the devastating effect of longbow against longbow in the Wars of the Roses; offers a detailed account of how to make a longbow from scratch, including all the tools and materials required. By the author of "The Great War Bow".
The Longbow, by Mike Loades
Boasting a rate of shooting not seen again in English hands until the late 19th century, the longbow was the weapon at the heart of the English military ascendancy in the century after 1340. Capable of subjecting the enemy to a hail of deadly projectiles, the longbow in the hands of massed archers made possible the extraordinary victories enjoyed by English forces over superior numbers at Crécy and Poitiers, and remained an important battlefield weapon throughout the Wars of the Roses and beyond; it also played a leading role in raiding, siege and naval warfare. Its influence and use spread to the armies of Burgundy, Scotland and other powers, and its reputation as a cost-effective and easily produced weapon led to calls for its widespread adoption in the nascent armies of the American Republic as late as the 1770s. Wielded by Englishmen, Welshmen and others, the longbow fulfilled the requirements of all infantry missile weapons throughout history - it was a well-made weapon suitable for production in quantity that projected a man-stopping missile over a suitable distance at a sustainable, relatively rapid rate of shooting. The longbow was a ''self-bow'' - that is to say, it was made from one piece of wood, normally yew, with the ''belly'' of the bow being ''heartwood'' and a thinner layer of ''sapwood'' being the ''back'' of the bow. Its arrows were normally made of aspen, a light and strong wood - although ash and other woods were also used - with a variety of metal heads available, depending on the intended use. A sophisticated piece of ammunition requiring many resources and skill to manufacture, the longbow arrow could penetrate plate armour if the conditions were right; this study argues, however, that the ''blunt trauma'' inflicted on the target, however well armoured, resulted in debilitating injuries and was far more significant on the field of battle. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and informed by the latest research into this intriguing weapon, this lively study debunks lingering myths and casts new light on the battle-winning longbow, the lethal missile weapon that enabled English victories against the odds in a series of famous battles of the 14th and 15th centuries.
It is a delight to read a book which recognises the importance of warfare in medieval times...also...discusses the changing role of the archer in medieval society. SIR STEVEN RUNCIMAN This book traces the history of the archer in the medieval period, from the Norman Conquest to the Wars of the Roses. From a close study of early evidence, Mr Bradbury shows that the archer's role before the time of Edward I was an important but rarely documented one, and that his new prominence in the fourteenth century was the result of changes in development of military tactics rather than the introduction of the famous `longbow'. A second thread of the book examines the archer's role in society, with particular reference to that most famous of all archers, Robin Hood. The final chapters look at the archer in the early fifteenth century and then chronicle the rise of the handgun as the major infantry weapon at the bow's expense. JIM BRADBURY writes and lectures on battles and warfare in England and France in the middle ages.
Longbow: A Social and Military History by Robert Hardy
This edition chronicles the history of the longbow from the earliest known example used 8000 years ago, through its coming of age at the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt, to its use as a hunting and sporting weapon, and its present-day status in Britain. The book contains the first authoritative account of the archery equipment found in Henry VIII's warship the Mary Rose; describes the archers themselves, their equipment, training, uniform and terms of service; examines the fact and fiction of the Robin Hood legend, the reasons why the French never took to the weapon and the devastating effect of longbow against longbow in the Wars of the Roses; offers a detailed account of how to make a longbow from scratch, including all the tools and materials required. By the author of "The Great War Bow".
The Longbow, by Mike Loades
Boasting a rate of shooting not seen again in English hands until the late 19th century, the longbow was the weapon at the heart of the English military ascendancy in the century after 1340. Capable of subjecting the enemy to a hail of deadly projectiles, the longbow in the hands of massed archers made possible the extraordinary victories enjoyed by English forces over superior numbers at Crécy and Poitiers, and remained an important battlefield weapon throughout the Wars of the Roses and beyond; it also played a leading role in raiding, siege and naval warfare. Its influence and use spread to the armies of Burgundy, Scotland and other powers, and its reputation as a cost-effective and easily produced weapon led to calls for its widespread adoption in the nascent armies of the American Republic as late as the 1770s. Wielded by Englishmen, Welshmen and others, the longbow fulfilled the requirements of all infantry missile weapons throughout history - it was a well-made weapon suitable for production in quantity that projected a man-stopping missile over a suitable distance at a sustainable, relatively rapid rate of shooting. The longbow was a ''self-bow'' - that is to say, it was made from one piece of wood, normally yew, with the ''belly'' of the bow being ''heartwood'' and a thinner layer of ''sapwood'' being the ''back'' of the bow. Its arrows were normally made of aspen, a light and strong wood - although ash and other woods were also used - with a variety of metal heads available, depending on the intended use. A sophisticated piece of ammunition requiring many resources and skill to manufacture, the longbow arrow could penetrate plate armour if the conditions were right; this study argues, however, that the ''blunt trauma'' inflicted on the target, however well armoured, resulted in debilitating injuries and was far more significant on the field of battle. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and informed by the latest research into this intriguing weapon, this lively study debunks lingering myths and casts new light on the battle-winning longbow, the lethal missile weapon that enabled English victories against the odds in a series of famous battles of the 14th and 15th centuries.
Arts Crafts
Medieval Craftsman Series
Armourers by Matthias Pfaffenbichler
Shows and describes medieval European armor, looks at the armorers' guilds, discusses their wealth and influence, and examines the social and economic context within which armorers worked
Embroiderers by Kay Staniland
Embroiderers in the Middle Ages were purveyors of wealth and status since they supplied the Church and aristocratic patrons with a splendid variety of vestments and alter cloths, clothes and wall-hangings. Although a common pastime among women, professional embroidery was carried out by both men and women who sometimes operated from family workshops. These could expand significantly in response to great demand, as from a royal patron. But how did they acquire their skills? Were they well paid? What techniques did they employ? Who were their designers? The author answers these and many other questions, reassessing past research and introducing new documentary material, and casts light on the shadowy figures who toiled over the pieces we admire today in churches and museums.With a section explaining and illustrating the techniques, this book will be an invaluable source of information and inspiration tothose interested in the great legacy of medieval embroiderers.
English Tilers by Elizabeth Eames
Brightly coloured tiles, often decorated with enchanting scenes or designs, are among the most common and fascinating survivals from the medieval period. When decorated floor tiles were first introduced, tilers were specially commissioned to create elaborate pavements for wealthy, royal, and ecclesiastical patrons. Before long, individual tilers branched out to manufacture decorated tiles and market them commercially. Soon, manor houses, merchant's houses, and parish churches were enlivened with these colourful decorated floors.Drawing partly on the material from her previous book, English Medieval Tiles (now out of print) and partly on new research, the author explains how the tiles were made and decorated, how the tilers combined the production of elaborate floor tiles with plainer, more functional roof tiles, and how they earned their living.
Glass-Painters by Sarah Brown
"For the human eye...marvels at the inestimable beauty of the glass and the infinitely rich and various workmanship." (Theophilus, early twelfth century) But what do we really know of the men and women who made stained glass windows, and the methods they used?Stained glassed was an invaluable medium for communicating religion to a largely illiterate populace and the glass-painter was its creator. This book describes the fascinating origins of the cragt and the techniques emplyed - including the design, colouring, and use of pattern books. The authors explain the circumstances of commission, who the patrons were, and how the glass-painter both designed and executed the window. They then discuss evidence of the education, position in society, and working practices of glass-painters. Finally, the recount the decline of this resplendent craft and the sad destruction of the windows as the Reformation and changes in fashion both took their toll.Beautifully illustrated with examples from cathedrals, churches, and castles throughout Europe, this book will enrich the understanding of all lovers of medieval art and architecture.
Goldsmiths by John Cherry
Of all the medieval craftsmen, the goldsmith worked on the two most valuable materials - gold and silver - and set them with rare stones and classical gems. He produced a wide variety of objects, from cups and chalices to rings, seals, and crowns. Such rich objects were often put to the service of God, and today it is in the treasuries of churches that we find much of the surviving material.Combining documentary, archaeological, and pictorial evidence, the author describes how goldsmiths worked for both the Church and for royalty. By the fifteenth century their trade was centred in the principal ccourts and cities of Europe. John Cherry describes the organization of the craft, including the supply of raw materials, and follows the careers of individual goldsmiths, some of whom rose to high positions in society.
Masons and Sculptors by Nicola Coldstream
The glorious heritage of cathedrals and castles in Europe today is the legacy of the medieval masons. The master mason, head of a team of masons, was the medieval equivalent to an architect. He acted as contractor, designer, and engineer, drawing up the plans, gathering the materials together, and erecting the building. He was responsible for the decoration as well, the capitals, bosses, and furnishings, but was also expected to turn his hand to any building work, however menial.With reference to masons' records, building contracts, and accounts, as well inscriptions, self-portraits, and personal marks, the author discusses who the masons were, how they organised their professional lives, the role of their patrons and how they designed and built the cathedrals and castles. Architectural drawings illustrate the skill involved and manuscript illuminations portray the masons at work, but the best evidence lies in the buildings themselves, the true testimony to their creative talents.
Painters by Paul Binski
Medieval churches glowed with the colours of painted walls, altarpieces, and screens. Although much of this art has been lost, enough survives to illuminate this fascinating account of the methods and motivation of the medieval painter.Within the Church, the painters worked to illustrate doctrine as well as to beautify God's house, but as the medieval economy prospered they translated their skills to the adornment of domestic architecture too. Combining documentary evidence with a study of surviving paintings, the author is able to reconstruct in detail the processes involved in creating the works of art. He also examines who the painters were, how they chose their images, and the social and economic background to their creativity.
Scribes and Illuminators by Christopher De Hamel
Illuminated manuscripts survive in great numbers from the Middle Ages. They are often beautifully preserved, enabling us to appreciate the skilled design and craftsmanship of the people who created them.Christopher de Hamel describes each stage of production from the preparation of the vellum, pens, paints and inks to the writing of the scripts and the final decoration and illumination of the book. He then examines the role of the stationer or bookshop in co-ordinating book production and describes the supply of exemplars and the accuracy of texts. He follows the careers of a number of specific scribes and illuminators who emerge not as anonymous monks but as identifiable professional lay artisans. He also looks at those who bought the completed books, why they did so, and how much they paid.His survey ranges from the eleventh century through the golden age of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries to the luxurious manuscripts existing at the invention of printing.
Armourers by Matthias Pfaffenbichler
Shows and describes medieval European armor, looks at the armorers' guilds, discusses their wealth and influence, and examines the social and economic context within which armorers worked
Embroiderers by Kay Staniland
Embroiderers in the Middle Ages were purveyors of wealth and status since they supplied the Church and aristocratic patrons with a splendid variety of vestments and alter cloths, clothes and wall-hangings. Although a common pastime among women, professional embroidery was carried out by both men and women who sometimes operated from family workshops. These could expand significantly in response to great demand, as from a royal patron. But how did they acquire their skills? Were they well paid? What techniques did they employ? Who were their designers? The author answers these and many other questions, reassessing past research and introducing new documentary material, and casts light on the shadowy figures who toiled over the pieces we admire today in churches and museums.With a section explaining and illustrating the techniques, this book will be an invaluable source of information and inspiration tothose interested in the great legacy of medieval embroiderers.
English Tilers by Elizabeth Eames
Brightly coloured tiles, often decorated with enchanting scenes or designs, are among the most common and fascinating survivals from the medieval period. When decorated floor tiles were first introduced, tilers were specially commissioned to create elaborate pavements for wealthy, royal, and ecclesiastical patrons. Before long, individual tilers branched out to manufacture decorated tiles and market them commercially. Soon, manor houses, merchant's houses, and parish churches were enlivened with these colourful decorated floors.Drawing partly on the material from her previous book, English Medieval Tiles (now out of print) and partly on new research, the author explains how the tiles were made and decorated, how the tilers combined the production of elaborate floor tiles with plainer, more functional roof tiles, and how they earned their living.
Glass-Painters by Sarah Brown
"For the human eye...marvels at the inestimable beauty of the glass and the infinitely rich and various workmanship." (Theophilus, early twelfth century) But what do we really know of the men and women who made stained glass windows, and the methods they used?Stained glassed was an invaluable medium for communicating religion to a largely illiterate populace and the glass-painter was its creator. This book describes the fascinating origins of the cragt and the techniques emplyed - including the design, colouring, and use of pattern books. The authors explain the circumstances of commission, who the patrons were, and how the glass-painter both designed and executed the window. They then discuss evidence of the education, position in society, and working practices of glass-painters. Finally, the recount the decline of this resplendent craft and the sad destruction of the windows as the Reformation and changes in fashion both took their toll.Beautifully illustrated with examples from cathedrals, churches, and castles throughout Europe, this book will enrich the understanding of all lovers of medieval art and architecture.
Goldsmiths by John Cherry
Of all the medieval craftsmen, the goldsmith worked on the two most valuable materials - gold and silver - and set them with rare stones and classical gems. He produced a wide variety of objects, from cups and chalices to rings, seals, and crowns. Such rich objects were often put to the service of God, and today it is in the treasuries of churches that we find much of the surviving material.Combining documentary, archaeological, and pictorial evidence, the author describes how goldsmiths worked for both the Church and for royalty. By the fifteenth century their trade was centred in the principal ccourts and cities of Europe. John Cherry describes the organization of the craft, including the supply of raw materials, and follows the careers of individual goldsmiths, some of whom rose to high positions in society.
Masons and Sculptors by Nicola Coldstream
The glorious heritage of cathedrals and castles in Europe today is the legacy of the medieval masons. The master mason, head of a team of masons, was the medieval equivalent to an architect. He acted as contractor, designer, and engineer, drawing up the plans, gathering the materials together, and erecting the building. He was responsible for the decoration as well, the capitals, bosses, and furnishings, but was also expected to turn his hand to any building work, however menial.With reference to masons' records, building contracts, and accounts, as well inscriptions, self-portraits, and personal marks, the author discusses who the masons were, how they organised their professional lives, the role of their patrons and how they designed and built the cathedrals and castles. Architectural drawings illustrate the skill involved and manuscript illuminations portray the masons at work, but the best evidence lies in the buildings themselves, the true testimony to their creative talents.
Painters by Paul Binski
Medieval churches glowed with the colours of painted walls, altarpieces, and screens. Although much of this art has been lost, enough survives to illuminate this fascinating account of the methods and motivation of the medieval painter.Within the Church, the painters worked to illustrate doctrine as well as to beautify God's house, but as the medieval economy prospered they translated their skills to the adornment of domestic architecture too. Combining documentary evidence with a study of surviving paintings, the author is able to reconstruct in detail the processes involved in creating the works of art. He also examines who the painters were, how they chose their images, and the social and economic background to their creativity.
Scribes and Illuminators by Christopher De Hamel
Illuminated manuscripts survive in great numbers from the Middle Ages. They are often beautifully preserved, enabling us to appreciate the skilled design and craftsmanship of the people who created them.Christopher de Hamel describes each stage of production from the preparation of the vellum, pens, paints and inks to the writing of the scripts and the final decoration and illumination of the book. He then examines the role of the stationer or bookshop in co-ordinating book production and describes the supply of exemplars and the accuracy of texts. He follows the careers of a number of specific scribes and illuminators who emerge not as anonymous monks but as identifiable professional lay artisans. He also looks at those who bought the completed books, why they did so, and how much they paid.His survey ranges from the eleventh century through the golden age of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries to the luxurious manuscripts existing at the invention of printing.
Painting
Craftsman's Handbook by Cennio D'Andrea Cennini"Obviously of great merit." — Art Material Trade News. Fifteenth-century handbook, written by a working artist of the day, reveals secrets and techniques of the masters in drawing, oil painting, frescoes, panel painting, gilding, casting, more. Direct link to artists of the Middle Ages. Translation and Introduction by D. V. Thompson. "Delightful flavor..." — N.Y. Herald Tribune.
On Divers Arts by Theophilus
First printed in the 12th century, here is the earliest treatise on the arts written by a practicing artist. Offering an essential understanding of pre-Renaissance art and technology, the Benedictine author details pigments, glass blowing, stained glass, gold and silver work, and more — information of great importance to craftsmen and historians of art and science.
On Painting by Leon Battista Alberti
Artist, architect, poet and philosopher, Leon Battista Alberti revolutionized the history of art with his theories of perspective in On Painting (1435). Inspired by the order and beauty inherent in nature, his groundbreaking work sets out the principles of distance, dimension and proportion; instructs the painter on how to use the rules of composition, representation, light and colour to create work that is graceful and pleasing to the eye; and stipulates the moral and artistic pre-requisites of the successful painter. On Painting had an immediate and profound influence on Italian Renaissance artists including Ghiberti, Fra Angelico and Veneziano and on later figures such as Leonardo da Vinci.
Craftsman's Handbook by Cennio D'Andrea Cennini"Obviously of great merit." — Art Material Trade News. Fifteenth-century handbook, written by a working artist of the day, reveals secrets and techniques of the masters in drawing, oil painting, frescoes, panel painting, gilding, casting, more. Direct link to artists of the Middle Ages. Translation and Introduction by D. V. Thompson. "Delightful flavor..." — N.Y. Herald Tribune.
On Divers Arts by Theophilus
First printed in the 12th century, here is the earliest treatise on the arts written by a practicing artist. Offering an essential understanding of pre-Renaissance art and technology, the Benedictine author details pigments, glass blowing, stained glass, gold and silver work, and more — information of great importance to craftsmen and historians of art and science.
On Painting by Leon Battista Alberti
Artist, architect, poet and philosopher, Leon Battista Alberti revolutionized the history of art with his theories of perspective in On Painting (1435). Inspired by the order and beauty inherent in nature, his groundbreaking work sets out the principles of distance, dimension and proportion; instructs the painter on how to use the rules of composition, representation, light and colour to create work that is graceful and pleasing to the eye; and stipulates the moral and artistic pre-requisites of the successful painter. On Painting had an immediate and profound influence on Italian Renaissance artists including Ghiberti, Fra Angelico and Veneziano and on later figures such as Leonardo da Vinci.
Calligraphy
Medieval Calligraphy, Its History and Technique by Drogin
Spirited history and comprehensive instruction manual covers 13 important writing styles (ca. 4th century thru 15th). Fascinating facts about Roman Rustic, Uncial, Carolingian Minuscule, Early Gothic, 8 other styles; all examples beautifully photographed. Detailed directions for duplicating medieval techniques with modern tools.
Medieval Calligraphy, Its History and Technique by Drogin
Spirited history and comprehensive instruction manual covers 13 important writing styles (ca. 4th century thru 15th). Fascinating facts about Roman Rustic, Uncial, Carolingian Minuscule, Early Gothic, 8 other styles; all examples beautifully photographed. Detailed directions for duplicating medieval techniques with modern tools.
Cord Making
Tak V Bowes Departed by Elizabeth Benns and Gina Barrett
Tak v bowes depared is an in-depth study of Article 4, British Library Manuscript Harley 2320. This treatise, which dates to the fifteenth century, gives instructions for making forty different braids of varying complexity.
Braids such as these were used for a variety of purposes during the medieval period; lacing clothes, purse strings, decorative trim and seal tags. This book discusses the background of the original manuscript; who may have owned it, how it was made, and compares the spelling and language with other similar documents.
Tak v bowes departed concludes with modern instructions to make each of the braids; original errors have been corrected and noted, and each braid is clearly illustrated for for reference. The instructions are provided as both text and diagrams, and include a detailed overview of the technique of 'fingerloop braiding'for those new to this skill.
Tak v bowes departed will be an invaluable resource for a wide audience; dress historians, costumiers, curators, re-enactors and crafters alike.
Tak V Bowes Departed by Elizabeth Benns and Gina Barrett
Tak v bowes depared is an in-depth study of Article 4, British Library Manuscript Harley 2320. This treatise, which dates to the fifteenth century, gives instructions for making forty different braids of varying complexity.
Braids such as these were used for a variety of purposes during the medieval period; lacing clothes, purse strings, decorative trim and seal tags. This book discusses the background of the original manuscript; who may have owned it, how it was made, and compares the spelling and language with other similar documents.
Tak v bowes departed concludes with modern instructions to make each of the braids; original errors have been corrected and noted, and each braid is clearly illustrated for for reference. The instructions are provided as both text and diagrams, and include a detailed overview of the technique of 'fingerloop braiding'for those new to this skill.
Tak v bowes departed will be an invaluable resource for a wide audience; dress historians, costumiers, curators, re-enactors and crafters alike.
Pewter Casting
Medieval Pilgrim & Secular Badges by Michael Mitchiner.
Pilgrims badges were big business in the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. As it has always been people's tendency to adopt a "holier than thou" attitude, and the purchase of a badge or pin that would show that you had visited some shrine or other fulfills that need perfectly.
Mitchiner's book is considered by most to be the premier reference on these badges. This book is great, with many full sized photos and accurate descriptions.
Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) by Brian Spencer
This is the first major catalogue in English devoted to medieval badges. These fascinating objects provide us with a guide to the popularity of different cults and pilgrim centres, supplying evidence of the sometimes arduous journeys not only to famous and far-off sanctuaries like Compostela, but to native shrines such as that of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury, or the tombs of local, unofficial saints. Often mass-produced and sold in tens of thousands, pilgrim souvenirs offer pointers to fashion in contemporary precious jewellery. The secular badges include a wealth of non-religious imagery, playful and amatory, satirical, celebratory and heraldic. Illustrating nearly 800 items of popular medieval jewellery, the catalogue contained within the book describes previously unpublished finds retrieved from datable archaeological London waterfront deposits, and provides the basis of a chronological framework for future excavations. BRIAN SPENCER was the Senior Keeper at the Museum of London, with special responsibility for the Museum's collection of medieval everyday objects.
Beyond Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges: Essays in Honour of Brian Spencer, by Sarah Blick
Brian Spencer, former Keeper of the Museum of London, was a major scholar of medieval popular culture. He almost single-handedly established the study of pilgrim souvenirs and secular badges. He defined what these objects were and ascertained their function, manufacture, style, and iconography with a careful use of primary documents and intricate stylistic analysis. He identified every major souvenir and badge discovered in Great Britain during the last few decades. He also made prominent contributions to the field of seal matrices, gaming pieces, and horse paraphernalia. What bound all of these interests together was his understanding that the study of these artifacts could shed light on the beliefs and practices of a large number of people. This is reflected in the frequency with which his work is cited. This volume is a collection of essays written by those who worked with Brian directly and those with whom he corresponded
Medieval Pilgrim Badges from Norfolk, Norfolk Museum Service
A small book covering some of the find located within the Norfolk Museum Service.
Medieval Pilgrim & Secular Badges by Michael Mitchiner.
Pilgrims badges were big business in the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. As it has always been people's tendency to adopt a "holier than thou" attitude, and the purchase of a badge or pin that would show that you had visited some shrine or other fulfills that need perfectly.
Mitchiner's book is considered by most to be the premier reference on these badges. This book is great, with many full sized photos and accurate descriptions.
Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) by Brian Spencer
This is the first major catalogue in English devoted to medieval badges. These fascinating objects provide us with a guide to the popularity of different cults and pilgrim centres, supplying evidence of the sometimes arduous journeys not only to famous and far-off sanctuaries like Compostela, but to native shrines such as that of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury, or the tombs of local, unofficial saints. Often mass-produced and sold in tens of thousands, pilgrim souvenirs offer pointers to fashion in contemporary precious jewellery. The secular badges include a wealth of non-religious imagery, playful and amatory, satirical, celebratory and heraldic. Illustrating nearly 800 items of popular medieval jewellery, the catalogue contained within the book describes previously unpublished finds retrieved from datable archaeological London waterfront deposits, and provides the basis of a chronological framework for future excavations. BRIAN SPENCER was the Senior Keeper at the Museum of London, with special responsibility for the Museum's collection of medieval everyday objects.
Beyond Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges: Essays in Honour of Brian Spencer, by Sarah Blick
Brian Spencer, former Keeper of the Museum of London, was a major scholar of medieval popular culture. He almost single-handedly established the study of pilgrim souvenirs and secular badges. He defined what these objects were and ascertained their function, manufacture, style, and iconography with a careful use of primary documents and intricate stylistic analysis. He identified every major souvenir and badge discovered in Great Britain during the last few decades. He also made prominent contributions to the field of seal matrices, gaming pieces, and horse paraphernalia. What bound all of these interests together was his understanding that the study of these artifacts could shed light on the beliefs and practices of a large number of people. This is reflected in the frequency with which his work is cited. This volume is a collection of essays written by those who worked with Brian directly and those with whom he corresponded
Medieval Pilgrim Badges from Norfolk, Norfolk Museum Service
A small book covering some of the find located within the Norfolk Museum Service.
Other Activities
On Divers Arts (Dover Art Instruction) by Theophilus
First printed in the 12th century, here is the earliest treatise on the arts written by a practicing artist. Offering an essential understanding of pre-Renaissance art and technology, the Benedictine author details pigments, glass blowing, stained glass, gold and silver work, and more ― information of great importance to craftsmen and historians of art and science. Includes 34 illustrations.
First printed in the 12th century, here is the earliest treatise on the arts written by a practicing artist. Offering an essential understanding of pre-Renaissance art and technology, the Benedictine author details pigments, glass blowing, stained glass, gold and silver work, and more ― information of great importance to craftsmen and historians of art and science. Includes 34 illustrations.
The Art of Medieval Hunting: The Hound and the Hawk by John Cummins
Hunting was a training for war and a rite of manhood, a powerful and ritualistic pastime, the sport of kings. In vivid and engrossing detail John Cummins shows us the appropriate methods for hunting all kinds of deer, boar, wolves, foxes, bear, otter, birds hare - even unicorn. Hunting and hawking run throughout medieval art and literature, providing not only narrative motifs for tapestries, romances and sagas but also metaphors for war and combat, for Christianity wrestling with the dark forces of paganism, and for sexual pursuit and conquest. Dr Cummins' book ranges over a dazzling diversity of sources - poems, ballads, letters, court directives, royal accounts, gamekeepers' handbooks, psalters - to recreate and interpret the cosmos of medieval hunting and falconry, the skills and techniques, superstitions and beliefs. Richly illustrated from a variety of sources, The Hound and the Hawk shows us a pageant of medieval and Renaissance life lived in its grandest, most flamboyant, most allusive manner.
Hunting was a training for war and a rite of manhood, a powerful and ritualistic pastime, the sport of kings. In vivid and engrossing detail John Cummins shows us the appropriate methods for hunting all kinds of deer, boar, wolves, foxes, bear, otter, birds hare - even unicorn. Hunting and hawking run throughout medieval art and literature, providing not only narrative motifs for tapestries, romances and sagas but also metaphors for war and combat, for Christianity wrestling with the dark forces of paganism, and for sexual pursuit and conquest. Dr Cummins' book ranges over a dazzling diversity of sources - poems, ballads, letters, court directives, royal accounts, gamekeepers' handbooks, psalters - to recreate and interpret the cosmos of medieval hunting and falconry, the skills and techniques, superstitions and beliefs. Richly illustrated from a variety of sources, The Hound and the Hawk shows us a pageant of medieval and Renaissance life lived in its grandest, most flamboyant, most allusive manner.
On-line Resources
Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts
There are 57,303 digital images from 843 titles from The Morgan Library & Museum’s renowned collection of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts The collection spans some ten centuries of Western illumination, and contains manuscripts from all the major schools, including some of the great masterpieces of medieval manuscript art. http://ica.themorgan.org/list
There are 57,303 digital images from 843 titles from The Morgan Library & Museum’s renowned collection of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts The collection spans some ten centuries of Western illumination, and contains manuscripts from all the major schools, including some of the great masterpieces of medieval manuscript art. http://ica.themorgan.org/list
