Everyday Life in Medieval London

From the Anglo-Saxons to the Tudors

De: Toni Mount

Narrado por: Anne Flosnik

Our capital city has always been a thriving and colorful place, full of diverse and determined individuals developing trade and finance, exchanging gossip and doing business. Abandoned by the Romans, rebuilt by the Saxons, occupied by the Vikings and reconstructed by the Normans, London would become the largest trade and financial center, dominating the world in later centuries. London has always been a brilliant, vibrant, and eclectic place—Henry V was given a triumphal procession there after his return from Agincourt and the Lord Mayor’s river pageant was an annual medieval spectacular. William the Conqueror built the Tower, Thomas Becket was born in Cheapside, Wat Tyler led the peasants in revolt across London Bridge and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales was the first book produced on Caxton’s new printing press in Westminster. But beneath the color and pageantry lay dirt, discomfort and disease, the daily grind for ordinary folk. Like us, they had family problems, work worries, health concerns and wondered about the weather.

©2014 Toni Mount (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

A Fascinating Dive

While much of the information is dispensed through historical anecdotes rather than one fact after another, this title should be lauded for analyzing a wide array of elements of daily medieval life, then returning to these elements in later ages.

Interesting survey

Although the author desires to focus on London, it seems that there may not be sufficient surviving records to provide a very detailed analysis. I did very much enjoy this nevertheless.

Interesting

The book covers the period 500 AD -- 1500 AD of London's history. The first centuries are more about big events and powerful people because there is little documentary evidence of daily life of ordinary people. It's only after the Dark Ages that more and more documents of different nature start to give a clearer picture of the subject. The organization of the book is by subject: women, guilds, health, death, etc.

Great book, ok narration

Great book! I admit I have a hard time listening to Anne Flosnik's voice, but it grew on me. A bit.

Good book. Good narration.

I enjoyed this book enough to listen to it twice. I thought the narrator was fine for this kind of book.

The details make it stand out

I’ve listened to many books about the lives of everyday people throughout history, but this book stands because of the sheer amount of detailed information the author draws upon for each subject. I was amazed by how the author used everything from well known sources, to the briefest of mentions in an obscure letter, to craft each expertly written chapter. The entire book was so satisfying to listen to as well, due to the expert reading. I plan on listening to this again very soon.

Great glimpse at medieval life

I love the small details, how regular citizens existed and went about their day. How customs and things that we see is a part of everyday life was just coming into existence in many ways then.

Interesting and well laid out

Fascinating information on the smaller day to day life, and the changes that occured. I found the layout by topics to be a benefit in keeping it from being a recitation of dates and events.
I know several have left comments on the narration by Anne Flosnik's, I am the opposite, I love her narration and found this book by looking for other books she narrated.

Terrible narrator, sounds robotic

The narrator ruins the book. The content is ok, but do not buy this version.