Folio Archives 261: Paris in the Middle Ages by Simone Roux 2014
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Paris in the Middle Ages by Simone Roux 2014
Where some modern historians delight in imaginative retellings of the past, Simone Roux follows the strictest rigour in using only primary, textual sources for her authoritative account. Yet such is her skill that from censorship rolls or court records she draws stories that bring an entire city to life, and does so, as introducer Andrew Hussey writes, ‘with the eye of a poet and an archaeologist’.
Roux begins with the physical city of Paris – surrounded by its walls, or the enceinte, first begun in 1190 and then enlarged several times in later years. From there she moves on to the city’s people: the hierarchies and the social, political and ecclesiastical figures that connected and divided them. And finally, Roux describes day-to-day life: how people lived and worked, what they ate and wore, their relationships and friendships.
The details she elicits offer a fascinating, varied picture, from a street brawl where two neighbours beat one another with bread to an extravagant gown belonging to the Duke of Orleans, covered with the notes and lyrics of a love song stitched out in pearls.
Translated from French by Jo Ann McNamara, the xlii +298 page book is enhanced with a frontispiece and 24 pages of colour and B&W plates. There is a seven page preface by Andrew Hussey. The endpapers are colour printed with a medieval map of Paris and the book is bound in blue buckram with a Modigliani paper band down the cover, printed with a colour design by Neil Gower. The red slipcase is 24.8x17.1cm.
There are extensive notes, a glossary, bibliography, index and even a table of Parisian taxpayers in 1297 at the back of the book.
Front endpaper
Back endpaper
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
Where some modern historians delight in imaginative retellings of the past, Simone Roux follows the strictest rigour in using only primary, textual sources for her authoritative account. Yet such is her skill that from censorship rolls or court records she draws stories that bring an entire city to life, and does so, as introducer Andrew Hussey writes, ‘with the eye of a poet and an archaeologist’.
Roux begins with the physical city of Paris – surrounded by its walls, or the enceinte, first begun in 1190 and then enlarged several times in later years. From there she moves on to the city’s people: the hierarchies and the social, political and ecclesiastical figures that connected and divided them. And finally, Roux describes day-to-day life: how people lived and worked, what they ate and wore, their relationships and friendships.
The details she elicits offer a fascinating, varied picture, from a street brawl where two neighbours beat one another with bread to an extravagant gown belonging to the Duke of Orleans, covered with the notes and lyrics of a love song stitched out in pearls.
Translated from French by Jo Ann McNamara, the xlii +298 page book is enhanced with a frontispiece and 24 pages of colour and B&W plates. There is a seven page preface by Andrew Hussey. The endpapers are colour printed with a medieval map of Paris and the book is bound in blue buckram with a Modigliani paper band down the cover, printed with a colour design by Neil Gower. The red slipcase is 24.8x17.1cm.
There are extensive notes, a glossary, bibliography, index and even a table of Parisian taxpayers in 1297 at the back of the book.
Front endpaper
Back endpaper
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
3UK_History_Fan
I proudly own this book and have read it. I highly recommend it. I really appreciate the book design which I think is stellar and reflective of the topic. Thank you Warwick for highlighting it and reminding me of this treasure in my library.
