Dictionary of Medieval Knighthood and Chivalry

This work should prove to be a joy and a delight to both novices and experts. Its depth of coverage within its topics places it well beyond more general works. . . . [Its] usefulness in the areas of history, literature, and the arts can justify its purchase by any library with patrons whose interests are set in the medieval period. RQ Most historians find a work such as this valuable, but could bot have compiled it themselves; the fifteen years of research which produced this book would have reduced most of us to babbling, drooling, burnt-out cases, if not to catatonia. The effort and care which obviously went into this book evoke awe and admiration. . . . This work will be useful--perhaps even essential--to undergraduates writing papers in the area of knighthood and chivalry, as well as to historians wishing to confirm what they should already know. The Dictionary is particularly strong in matters military and heraldic. It is also fun for the browser; anyone who claims to have learned nothing from it is either the author or a liar. Albion In this comprehensive reference work, Bradford B. Broughton has organized alphabetically the terms and concepts of medieval English and French knighthood and chivalry. He describes the training of a young man as a page and squire for knighthood, as well as the equipment of a knight and those duties he could be called upon to perform. Contemporary data, such as legal terms and tables of weights and measures, are included, as are descriptions of the various military orders which existed. Although the focus of this reference work is on chivalry and knighthood, the social and political panorama of the period is well covered. Such subjects as the the coronation ritual, the precedence of royalty, and consequent distinctions between ranks of the peerage are described, making this an ideal reference source for most terms relative to medieval chivalry. Generous cross-referencing, bibliographical references for further study, and an appendix listing entries by topic provide ready access for those seeking information on a particular aspect of the period. A complete list of Feast and Saint's Days is also included.