Life in a Medieval Village

“Life in a Medieval Village” is a classic bestseller by renowned medievalists Joseph and Francis Gies, authors of popular science books that have introduced countless readers to the everyday world of the Middle Ages. At the heart of the narrative are the daily lives and customs of the people who lived in the village of Elton in the East Midlands (England) long ago, in the year 1300. The authors describe in detail the village’s way of life and the relationships among its medieval inhabitants—their everyday work and entertainment. By piecing together historical evidence, Joseph and Francis Gies offer a rare opportunity to get to know a European village as it was seven centuries ago. On the pages of the book, it comes alive in vivid, cinematic images. Using the example of Elton, the authors demonstrate in a clear and compelling way how the European village—an important “invention” of the Middle Ages—came into being, developed, and declined, while also dispelling many myths about the Dark Ages, letting them be heard through the voices of people from a long-gone time, where, in the old-fashioned language, familiar and easily understood intonations can be heard again and again.