Old Age in Late Medieval England (Hardcover)

In Old Age in Late Medieval England, Joel T. Rosenthal explores the life spans, sustained activities, behaviors, and mentalites of the individuals who approached and who passed the biblically stipulated span of three score and ten in late medieval England. Drawing on a wide variety of documentary and court records (which were, however, more likely to specify with precision an individual's age on reaching majority or inheriting property than on the occasion of his or her death) as well as literary and didactic texts, he examines "old age" as a social construct and web of behavioral patterns woven around a biological phenomenon. Focusing on "lived experience" in late medieval England, Rosenthal uses demographic and quantitative records, family histories, and biographical information to demonstrate that many people lived into their sixth, seventh, and occasionally eighth decades. Those who survived might well live to know their grandchildren. This view of a society composed of the aged as well as of the young and the middle aged is reinforced by an examination of peers, bishops, and members of parliament and urban office holders, for whom demographic and career-length information exists. Many individuals had active careers until near the end of their lives; the aged were neither rarities nor outcasts within their world. Late medieval society recognized the concept of retirement, of old age pensions, and of the welcome release from duty for those who had served over the decades.

General

Imprint:	University of PennsylvaniaPress
Country of origin:	United States
Series:	The Middle Ages Series
Release date:	August 1996
First published:	1996
Authors:	Joel T. Rosenthal
Dimensions:	229 x 152mm (L x W)
Format:	Hardcover - Paper over boards
Pages:	288
ISBN-13:	978-0-8122-3355-1
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > Humanities > History > British & Irish history > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social welfare & social services > Care of the elderly Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social groups & communities > Age groups > Adults > Elderly Books > History > British & Irish history > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > History > World history > 500 to 1500
LSN:	0-8122-3355-7
Barcode:	9780812233551

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