A Cultural History of the Home in the Medieval Age

The period from 800 to 1450 saw significant changes in how people lived in their houses, influenced by technological developments, climatic needs, geological limitations, and economic resources. Houses were not just physical spaces but also moral units that reflected societal values and structures. The movement of people, goods, and ideas, as well as the need for defense, shaped how and where people lived. The codification of laws and the expansion of European economies in the twelfth century also impacted how people understood and interacted with their homes. Through the house and its uses, occupants created, sustained, and understood their relationship to each other and their society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The period covered by this volume, spanning approximately 800-1450, witnessed significant transformations in the way people lived in their homes. During this time, houses were not merely physical structures but also held profound symbolic, economic, gendered, and social significance. The movement of people, goods, and ideas, as well as the need for defense, played a crucial role in shaping how and where individuals lived. The codification of laws significantly influenced how people perceived the physical integrity of their homes, the reception they offered to visitors, and their sense of identity with their dwellings. As European economies expanded in the twelfth century, householders gained access to various items that revolutionized their daily lives within their homes. This volume contends that through the house and its various uses, occupants established, maintained, and comprehended their connections with one another and their broader society.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 244 x 169 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350412231