0
Your cart

Your cart is empty

Books > History > British & Irish history

Buy Now

Britain in the Middle Ages - An Archaeological History (Paperback) Loot Price: R373
Discovery Miles 3 730
You Save: R22 (6%)

Britain in the Middle Ages - An Archaeological History (Paperback)

Francis Pryor

 (2 ratings, sign in to rate)
List price R395 Loot Price R373 Discovery Miles 3 730 You Save R22 (6%)

Bookmark and Share

Expected to ship within 12 - 19 working days

Technological advancements in the field of archaeology substantially rewrite long-accepted historical facts about Britain.Archaeologist Pryor has already meticulously mapped out key periods in his homeland's history (Britain BC, 2005, etc.), so he's perfectly placed to provide this historical overhaul of its Middle Ages. He begins by outlining the incredible changes that have occurred in British archaeology in recent years, as government spending increased from (UKP)3 - (UKP)4 million in the 1980s to a colossal (UKP)40 - (UKP)50 million in 2004. The opening chapters set the tone for the rest of this account. Writing in relaxed, non-academic, almost conversational prose, Pryor delineates the vast technological changes that have swept through the profession. His aim is to illustrate how different the Middle Ages were from the stagnant period scholars often portray it to be. In fact, according to the author, the Middle Ages paved the way for many modern marvels that we now take for granted. Pryor examines how the Vikings helped Britain create trade with other countries; he looks at the establishment of rudimentary local government outposts; and he analyzes the flourishing of churches across the country. He is also careful to pore over every detail dug up by recent archaeological finds, so he spends time exploring how roads developed into a network that still exists today and uses such developments to emphasize that this was a period of gradual change rather than radical transformation. For Pryor, this type of slow progress makes the era infinitely fascinating, and although the lack of excitement is perhaps why the period is so overlooked, readers who have more than a passing interest in the subject should find much to please them here.An interesting take on an age that continues to influence the world. (Kirkus Reviews)

As in Britain B.C. and Britain A.D. (also accompanied by Channel 4 series), eminent archaeologist Francis Pryor challenges familiar historical views of the Middle Ages by examining fresh evidence from the ground.

The term 'Middle Ages' suggests a time between two other ages: a period when nothing much happened. In his radical reassessment, Francis Pryor shows that this is very far from the truth, and that the Middle Ages (approximately 800-1550) were actually the time when the modern world was born. This was when Britain moved from Late Antiquity into a world we can recognize as more or less familiar: roads and parishes became fixed; familiar institutions, such as the church and local government, came into being; industry became truly industrial; and international trade was now a routine process.

Archaeology shows that the Middle Ages were far from static. Based on everyday, often humdrum evidence, it demonstrates that the later agricultural and industrial revolutions were not that unexpected, given what we now know of the later medieval period. Similarly, the explosion of British maritime power in the late 1700s had roots in the 15th century.

The book stresses continuous development at the expense of revolution', though the Black Death (1348), which killed a third of the population, did have a profound effect in loosening the grip of the feudal system. Labour became scarce and workers gained power; land became more available and the move to modern farming began.

The Middle Ages can now be seen in a fresh light as an era of great inventiveness, as the author examines such topics as 'upward mobility'; the power of the Church; the role of the Guilds as precursors of trade unions; the transport infrastructure of roads, bridges and shipbuilders; and the increase in iron production."

General

Imprint: HarperPerennial
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Release date: May 2007
First published: May 2007
Authors: Francis Pryor
Dimensions: 197 x 130 x 25mm (L x W x T)
Format: Paperback - B-format
Pages: 330
ISBN-13: 978-0-00-720362-8
Categories: Books > Humanities > History > World history > 500 to 1500
Books > Humanities > History > British & Irish history > General
Books > Humanities > Archaeology > Archaeology by period / region > European archaeology > Medieval European archaeology
Books > History > British & Irish history > General
Books > History > World history > 500 to 1500
Promotions
LSN: 0-00-720362-4
Barcode: 9780007203628

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!

Partners