The Oxford Handbook of Victorian Medievalism

The impact of the Middle Ages on Victorian culture was profound and multifaceted, influencing art, architecture, literature, politics, music, and social reform. Medievalism was celebrated in nineteenth-century Britain, with 75% of churches built on a Gothic rather than a classical model and medieval-style textiles produced by Morris and Co. The Oxford Handbook of Victorian Medievalism is the first work to examine this phenomenon in full, covering art, architecture, religion, literature, politics, music, and social reform, and surveying earlier forms of antiquarianism that established the groundwork for Victorian movements.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 720 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

In 1859, the historian Lord John Acton made a profound observation about the world, asserting that two great principles divide it and vie for dominance: antiquity and the Middle Ages. The influence of the Middle Ages on Victorian culture was profound and multifaceted, permeating various aspects of society. This medievalism led to the reintroduction of rituals and ornament from the Medieval Catholic church into Anglicanism. It celebrated the Saxon Witan as a model parliament, elevating Viking raiders to the status of forefathers of the British navy. It even inspired countless nineteenth-century men to cultivate the iconic beards associated with Victorian times, seeking to emulate their Anglo-Saxon ancestors.

Nineteenth-century Britain saw the utilization of different facets of medieval life and periods before the Renaissance for diverse political and cultural agendas. Medievalism emerged as a dominant mode in Victorian art and architecture, with a significant percentage of churches in England constructed in Gothic rather than classical styles. It pervaded various literary forms, including translated sagas, pseudo-medieval devotional verse, and triple-decker novels. Moreover, medievalism had a profound impact on nineteenth-century domesticity, with the medieval-style textiles produced by Morris and Co. adorning many affluent drawing rooms.

The Oxford Handbook of Victorian Medievalism is a groundbreaking work that delves into the full scope of medievalism in Victorian Britain. It encompasses art, architecture, religion, literature, politics, music, and social reform, providing a comprehensive examination of this fascinating phenomenon. The Handbook also surveys earlier forms of antiq.

Weight: 1222g
Dimension: 245 x 171 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198883340