Minstrels and Minstrelsy in Late Medieval England

A new study reveals that minstrels were integral to late medieval communities, participating in various aspects of society and interacting with both the ordinary people and the ruling classes. The evidence is fragmented, but the book aims to provide a more comprehensive view of their lives and their place in society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 476 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

A comprehensive new study meticulously reconstructs the intriguing but fragmented evidence surrounding the lives of minstrels, shedding light on their pivotal role in late medieval communities. Minstrels were a ubiquitous presence and auditory delight in the late Middle Ages, captivating aristocrats, knights, and ladies during grand occasions like Edward I's wedding feast for his daughter Elizabeth in 1296, as well as in more intimate settings within their chambers. Town-dwellers encountered them during civic processions, where their captivating sound drew attention to the spectacle, while even rural populations were treated to their melodies at weddings, church-ales, and other parish celebrations. However, the question remains: who were these minstrels, and what were their roles? How did they navigate their lives, and what challenges did they face in sustaining a livelihood? Moreover, how did they perform their art, and under what conditions? The evidence available, encompassing literary and iconographic sources, as well as financial records from royal and aristocratic households and towns, offers a wealth of insights, albeit often challenging to coalesce into a cohesive portrayal of the minstrels' lives and societal significance. It is tempting to view minstrels as mere entertainers with no central place in the medieval world. Nevertheless, they were integral members of society, engaging with both ordinary people and the ruling classes. They carried important letters and verbal messages, played crucial roles in financing royal campaigns, served as regular and indispensable civic servants, and even found themselves involved in criminal activities or victimized by others. In this book, Rastall and Taylor meticulously analyze the available evidence to broaden and enhance our understanding of the minstrel in late medieval society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837650392