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A Medieval Family
- Author
- Joseph Gies
- Narrator
- Anne Flosnik
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 27 August 2022
- Run Time
- 10 hours 27 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
The fascinating story of the fortunes of one medieval family over the course of a century, from acclaimed historians Frances and Joseph Gies
The Pastons were members of the English gentry, a group of roughly 1,000 households sandwiched between the ruling nobility and the peasants and a rough analog for the contemporary “middle class.” Their existence was fairly typical, except for the fact that it was recorded in an extraordinary collection of nearly 1,000 letters that have survived to this day.
Through these letters, which cover the years from 1421 to 1484 and the lives of three generations of Pastons, historians Frances and Joseph Gies provide a rare window into the day-to-day life of this family and into the broader political and social goings-on of medieval England.
A Medieval Family first tells the story of Judge William Paston (1378-1444), the patriarch of the family, a lawyer and judge who bought up land in Norfolk and left his son a sizeable estate, which was later forcibly seized by a neighboring baron. We then follow the family through its ups and downs over several generations, learning of their feuds with neighbors, the frequent instability of fifteenth century England, and significant historical events, such as the Siege of Caister and the Battle of Barnet. There are also many letters of more personal significance, including a series of valentines sent to John Paston III.
The work of acclaimed historians Frances and Joseph Gies has been used by George R. R. Martin in his research for Game of Thrones and it sequels. In A Medieval Family, they have woven a compelling intergenerational saga that is essential reading for anyone seeking insight into the medieval period.
Critics Review
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“The Gieses, who specialize in making the Middle Ages accessible to nonspecialists, have done a wonderful job of linking and amplifying the Pastons’ words.”
New Yorker
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“The Gies deserve much credit for their work in making the Pastons’ letters and family story available to a wide audience.”
Washington Times
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Joseph Gies
- Narrator
- Anne Flosnik
- Duration
- 10 hours 27 minutes
- Release Date
- 27 August 2022
- ISBN
- 9798212021722
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- European history: medieval period, middle ages, European history, European history, Social and cultural history
Synopsis
The fascinating story of the fortunes of one medieval family over the course of a century, from acclaimed historians Frances and Joseph GiesThe Pastons were members of the English gentry, a group of roughly 1,000 households sandwiched between the ruling nobility and the peasants and a rough analog for the contemporary “middle class.” Their existence was fairly typical, except for the fact that it was recorded in an extraordinary collection of nearly 1,000 letters that have survived to this day.Through these letters, which cover the years from 1421 to 1484 and the lives of three generations of Pastons, historians Frances and Joseph Gies provide a rare window into the day-to-day life of this family and into the broader political and social goings-on of medieval England.A Medieval Family first tells the story of Judge William Paston (1378-1444), the patriarch of the family, a lawyer and judge who bought up land in Norfolk and left his son a sizeable estate, which was later forcibly seized by a neighboring baron. We then follow the family through its ups and downs over several generations, learning of their feuds with neighbors, the frequent instability of fifteenth century England, and significant historical events, such as the Siege of Caister and the Battle of Barnet. There are also many letters of more personal significance, including a series of valentines sent to John Paston III.The work of acclaimed historians Frances and Joseph Gies has been used by George R. R. Martin in his research for Game of Thrones and it sequels. In A Medieval Family, they have woven a compelling intergenerational saga that is essential reading for anyone seeking insight into the medieval period.
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