Maurice Keen was a British historian specializing in the Middle Ages. His work explored pivotal aspects of medieval society, including chivalry and its military dimension. Keen's scholarship illuminated the complexities of medieval legends and redefined the understanding of chivalric ideals. His analyses offer readers profound insights into the mentalities and practices of the era.
Świeckie początki rycerstwa, rycerstwo a Kościół idea krucjatowa, ceremonia pasowania na rycerza, geneza turnieju rycerskiego, mitologia historyczna rycerstwa, heraldyka i heroldowie, koncepcja szlachectwa, herby, szlachectwo i honor, świeckie zakony rycerskie, wielkie widowiska, turnieje i uroczyste przysięgi, rycerstwo na wojnie- to rozdziały-tematy książki Maurice Keena.
Chivalry—with its pageants, heraldry, and knights in shining armor—was a social ideal that had a profound influence on the history of early modern Europe. In this eloquent and richly detailed book, a leading medieval historian discusses the complex reality of chivalry: its secular foundations, the effects of the Crusades, the literature of knighthood, and its ethos of the social and moral obligations of nobility.“This is a rich book, making effective use of all sorts of documents and illustrations. Keen moves easily across Europe in search of the international spirit of chivalry. . . . The pageantry he presents is colorful and his conclusions uplifting.”—David Herlihy, New York Times Book Review“An elegantly written, important book.”—Carolly Erickson, Los Angeles Times Book Review“Splendid. . . . Keen is exemplary in the use he makes of many kinds of medieval literature, epic and lyric poetry, family and military histories, didactic treatises, translations into the vernacular of books of the Bible and of works from ancient Rome.”—R.C. Smail, New York Review of Books“Original [and] beguiling.”—Fiona MacCarthy, Times (London)“A most readable and comprehensive survey: stimulating, informative, a splendid creation of context.”—Nicholas Orme, Times Higher Education Supplement“All historians of Western society . . . will do well to refer to this book.”—Georges Duby, Times Literary Supplement
The updated second edition of this critically acclaimed study provides a comprehensive overview of a significant historical period, incorporating the latest historiographical developments from the past decade. It serves as an invaluable resource for students seeking to deepen their understanding of the era.
Exploring both renowned and obscure figures from medieval folklore, this book delves into the lives and legends of iconic outlaws like Robin Hood and William Wallace, alongside lesser-known characters such as Gamelyn and Fulke Fitzwarin. It highlights the blend of myth and history that surrounds these heroes, offering insights into their cultural significance and the enduring appeal of their stories in the context of the Middle Ages.
Traces the course of the power struggle between European religious and political forces during the Middle Ages