Life in a Medieval Village

«Life in a Medieval Village» — a classic bestseller by renowned medievalists Joseph and Frances Gies, authors of a series of popular science books that have familiarized countless readers with the everyday world of people in the Middle Ages. The narrative focuses on the life and customs of the inhabitants of the village of Elton in the East Midlands (England) in the distant year 1300. The authors provide a detailed description of the lifestyle and relationships of the medieval villagers, their daily work, and entertainment. By piecing together historical testimonies, Joseph and Frances Gies offer us a rare opportunity to get acquainted with a European village as it was seven centuries ago. On the pages of the book, it comes to life in vivid cinematic images. Using the example of Elton, the authors convincingly demonstrate the emergence, development, and decline of the European village, which became an important «invention» of the Middle Ages, and debunk many myths about the Dark Ages, making them resonate with the voices of people from a long-gone time, where familiar tones can often be heard in the old speech.