Terry Jones, actor, director, author and Python, approaches this most
misrepresented and misunderstood' period in history through its
principal characters. Accompanying a TV series, the book addresses and
redresses many of the stereotypical images we have of the Middle Ages.
Each chapter deals with a major character', opening with the medieval
peasant, discussing his life and work, his status, village life in
general, his relationship with the Church and the Peasants' Revolt.
After famine and Black Death, Jones turns his attention to secular and
royal minstrels and entertainers, as well as medieval romance and epic
tales. From here to the outlaws, gangs and legendary figures of the
period, to the monk, the development of monasteries and religious
orders, the crusades and Church power. The rest of the books is filled
with tales of philosophers, alchemists, magicians, fraudsters,
innovators and doctors, chivalric knights, damsels and, ultimately, the
king himself. Written in an accessible and colloquial style, this is a
great read for anyone wanting to get a glimpse of real Medieval Lives .
Full of colour photographs and illustrations, and Terry Jones dressed up
in various garbs!