Ian Mortimer - The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England (2008)
History – 300 pages – my copy (paperback; 2008) purchased for £8.99 from Plymouth Waterstone’s in early 2011
- 3 nods out of 5 -
The Doc has arrived on your doorstep, the delorean waiting outside, engine on, ready to roll. He asks you to what part of history would you like to travel. Ancient Rome to dine alongside Caesar, perhaps? Or instead battling alongside Drake for Queen and country? Or watching the liberation of Paris against the Nazi hordes? More than likely medieval England will be low on the list: what with its diseases (the Black Death!), its wars (inevitably against the French), and its lack of basic human rights. But despite its setbacks, it remains a fascinating time, a cross-roads between the old and what would become the modern.
The author, Ian Mortimer has become a voice of authority upon the fourteenth century, having written biographies upon Edward III and Henry IV. This book, however, is less weighty and more entertaining. The reader is introduced to the major themes of the period, from the landscape, to the people, the law and the mentality of the medieval man.
Out of the window goes any precise narrative, as well as little political coverage. Royalty and leading figures do make an appearance, but more as illustrations of the period’s attitudes. Rather, Mortimer’s book sets itself out as a bona-fide travel guide: where to eat, where to visit, what to do, what to wear. And throughout all of this, the author is an amiable host, pointing out the dangers and directing us to the best ale-houses in the land.
Despite its breezy tones, there is no doubt that beneath the words there exists a dense network of information. However, this time traveller’s guide never attempts to go beyond its limits; it is content to entertain and remain a jovial light read-through. Like most holiday guide-books, you pick it up, skim it through, then when the holiday is over it is time to donate it to the local charity shop. Mortimer’s book never suggests it can become an authoritative guide to the period; however, as an introduction fellow book-worms could do no worse than to start here.
