Overview
In their heyday castles were homes to the wealthiest and most powerful members of society—royalty and the great nobility, who displayed their wealth by giving sumptuous banquets and maintaining large households of retainers and servants. As they traveled from castle to castle, the monarchs and nobles exercised governance and dispensed justice.
The first part of this book describes the household of a great castle. The second and third parts relate the evolution of the castle and its role in society. The final section traces the decline of the castle in favor of grand houses and palaces.
A wealth of source material, along with archaeological evidence, brings the world of the medieval castle to life.
A look at the history of castles and how they were built; the people who lived in them; their involvement in local government, law enforcement, and war; and how their usage changed after the Middle Ages.
Synopsis
An excellent overview of the Middle Ages.
Rebecca Barnhouse - VOYA
Written for a British audience, with a focus on England, Life in a Medieval Castle and Life in a Medieval Abbey provide excellent overviews of the Middle Ages. Well-chosen color photographs of medieval artwork, modern illustrations, and maps appear on every page, complementing the authoritative text, which is intended for strong readers. Passages from medieval texts, woven into McAleavy's prose, are equally well chosen. Each book begins with an overview and a who's-who page that introduces the people and official positions involved in an abbey or a castle. Fascinating details of daily life follow. The books explain the history of their subjects from beginnings to the last days, including the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. The Castle volume discusses structures throughout the British Isles and describes their construction as well as their place within the political landscape of medieval England. A chapter on "The Castle in War and Peace" reminds readers of the military purposes underlying these fortified buildings. In Abbey, readers learn about the varieties of monasticism, how monks and nuns fit into the medieval social and political structure, and how English institutions were connected with continental ones. Much of the material in the Abbey volume will be new to American readers, who might know little about monasticism, and not only students but also teachers of The Canterbury Tales and other medieval literature and history could learn a great deal from this distinguished book. Although many books about castles are available, McAleavy's stands out for its impressive presentation of fascinating, accurate information. (English Heritage).. VOYA Codes5Q 2P J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Enchanted Lion/Peter Bedrick, 64p.; Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Source Notes., Ages 12 to 18.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Many books about castles deal with stones, landscapes and a standard cast of characters. This book from the English Heritage series puts flesh and soul on those people. The author dots his fascinating commentary with pertinent quotes from medieval documents to give as clear a picture as possible from our distance in time. Illustrations include many from medieval sources along with maps and new art labeled as artistic interpretation. The story of the household of a great castle begins with how and why royal and noble families and their servants frequently moved between their castles. Along with stories about lives of lords, ladies and children, the author deals with creature comforts, hospitality and entertainment, concluding with the politics that made life in a castle quite insecure. A section about the development of castles tells many stories behind the constructions, including even a letter from a castle architect with a p.s. that says "For God's sake be quick with the money;..." Within the framework of things commonly known about the castle in war and peace he points out examples that add reality to the romance. He notes, for instance, how medieval observers wrote of the "gulf between the theory of chivalry and the brutal reality of knightly conduct" Finally he deals with the decline and long twilight of the castle including descriptions of an excellent assortment of castles that remain to be seen. Mr. McAleavy, an editor of history materials for Cambridge University Press, is author of many books about history. 2003 (orig. 1998), Enchanted Lion Books, Ages 10 to Adult.— Janet Crane Barley
VOYA
Written for a British audience, with a focus on England, Life in a Medieval Castle and Life in a Medieval Abbey provide excellent overviews of the Middle Ages. Well-chosen color photographs of medieval artwork, modern illustrations, and maps appear on every page, complementing the authoritative text, which is intended for strong readers. Passages from medieval texts, woven into McAleavy's prose, are equally well chosen. Each book begins with an overview and a who's-who page that introduces the people and official positions involved in an abbey or a castle. Fascinating details of daily life follow. The books explain the history of their subjects from beginnings to the last days, including the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. The Castle volume discusses structures throughout the British Isles and describes their construction as well as their place within the political landscape of medieval England. A chapter on "The Castle in War and Peace" reminds readers of the military purposes underlying these fortified buildings. In Abbey, readers learn about the varieties of monasticism, how monks and nuns fit into the medieval social and political structure, and how English institutions were connected with continental ones. Much of the material in the Abbey volume will be new to American readers, who might know little about monasticism, and not only students but also teachers of The Canterbury Tales and other medieval literature and history could learn a great deal from this distinguished book. Although many books about castles are available, McAleavy's stands out for its impressive presentation of fascinating, accurate information. (English Heritage).. VOYA Codes5Q 2P J S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Enchanted Lion/Peter Bedrick, 64p.; Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Source Notes., Ages 12 to 18.—Rebecca Barnhouse