Night in the Middle Ages

ISBN: 026803656X

Author: Verdon, Jean

Condition: Used

The technology and devices of the 21st century have done much to protect us from our in-built fear of the dark. To the medieval man and woman, night, particularly during the long winter months, was a time of superstitious demonic fantasies, drunkenness, thievery and even murder. This well-written and almost lyrical study, now available in English, draws on literary and documentary evidence to examine what life was like at night in the town and in the country. Verdon also considers what people did to fend off the darkness, such as bonfires and taverns, and what medieval sleeping arrangements were like. Finally, the study examines the spiritual aspect of night as a time of divine visions.