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english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
The Lives of people in 14th century England illustrated via Chaucer's motley band of pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales. They range from priests and a knight to 'yeomen' and a sailor, as well as several women.
The book is a lively and informative introduction to the period, and contains a few interesting surprises. Medieval people it seems, did not actually eat that much mutton. Sheep were kept for their wool, not meat. Since English wool was considered the best in the world, that made them a valuable commodity.
Beef and bacon were probably more commonly eaten foods: as well as fish and birds. Of almost all varieties including swans. Which would not please my mother who loves them.
The book is a lively and informative introduction to the period, and contains a few interesting surprises. Medieval people it seems, did not actually eat that much mutton. Sheep were kept for their wool, not meat. Since English wool was considered the best in the world, that made them a valuable commodity.
Beef and bacon were probably more commonly eaten foods: as well as fish and birds. Of almost all varieties including swans. Which would not please my mother who loves them.
haljonesy's review against another edition
4.0
This was extremely interesting! The amount of detail felt well researched but not overwhelming, and I appreciated the moments of humor inserted by the author. I learned a lot about medieval life and will probably read Tales again so I can put this fresh context to use.
paulataua's review against another edition
5.0
Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved it. The author takes characters from the Canterbury tales and riffs on their ‘profession’ and tidbits of related social history from the fourteenth century. It made me want to read the tales again with this as a companion.