The Later Middle Ages

Originally published in 1981, The Later Middle Ages bridges the gap between modern and medieval language and literature, by introducing the social and intellectual milieu in which writers like Chaucer, Malory and Margery Kempe lived. It provides a unified and coherent account of the culture of late medieval England, and of the problems involved in viewing it, in relation to English literature. The book covers the history of ideas and education, art and architecture, and changes in the social, economic and political structure.

Stephen Medcalf, Nicola Coldstream, Marjorie Reeves, David R Starkey

Illustrations Preface 1 On Reading Books From a Half-Alien Culture 2. The Ideal, the Real and the Quest for Perfection 3. Inner and Outer 4. Art and Architecture in the Late Middle Ages 5. The Age of the Household: Politics, Society and the Arts c. 1350-c.1550 Epilogue: from Troilus to Troilus Index