United States of Medievalism

The United States of Medievalism explores the desires, dreams, and contradictions of experiencing the Middle Ages in a nation temporally, spatially, and politically removed from them. The book visits medieval-inspired spaces in the US, such as Sherwood Forest, San Andreas Fault, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Orlando, Appalachian highways, Minnesota, New Orleans, and the Las Vegas Strip, and ponders the cultural work done by these spaces.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 336 pages
\n Publication date: 20 August 2021
\n Publisher: University of Toronto Press
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The United States of Medievalism delves into the complex tapestry of desires, dreams, and contradictions that arise when experiencing the Middle Ages in a nation that exists at a temporal, spatial, and sometimes political remove from its European origins. The European Middle Ages have left an indelible mark on the national landscape of the United States, manifesting in the medieval sites that dot its self-proclaimed republican landscapes and cities. These medieval echoes continue to shape the communities within the nation, blurring the boundaries between past and present, medieval and modern, European and American.

The chapters of this book take readers on a captivating journey across the United States, exploring a wide array of medieval-inspired spaces. From the enchanting Sherwood Forest in Texas to the awe-inspiring San Andreas Fault in California, the reader is transported to a world where history and fantasy intertwine. Stops are made in iconic locations such as New York City's churches, Boston's gardens, Philadelphia's Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Orlando's Magic Kingdom, Appalachian highways, Minnesota's Viking Villages, New Orleans's Mardi Gras, and the dazzling Las Vegas Strip.

As the editors and their fellow essayists accompany the reader on this cross-country expedition, they contemplate the profound cultural work that these medievalized spaces have accomplished. The collection challenges the underexamined legacy of medievalism on the western side of the Atlantic, shedding light on the enduring influences and resonances of this distant period. Packed with intriguing case studies and thoughtful reflections, this book offers a wealth of information for anyone interested in exploring the contemporary vestiges of the Middle Ages.

\n Weight: 550g\n
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781487525088\n \n