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Peering through the keyhole
Brenda Bolton admires books that give us glimpses of medieval lives and thinking
 Go forth, Christian soul: a death-bed scene from a 15th-century French Book of Hours is the jacket picture of Cornish Wills, reviewed here |
| Cornish Wills 1342-1540 Nicholas Orme
Devon and Cornwall Record Society £20 reviewed with
Privacy and Solitude: The medieval discovery of personal space Diana Webb Continuum £40 (978-1-85285-479-9) Church Times Bookshop £36 ALTHOUGH revealing different approaches, the scholarly and yet accessible subject-matter of these books thoroughly befits two such distinguished medieval historians. While appearing, at first glance, to address disparate subjects, Nicholas Orme and Diana Webb share a common focus: those of higher status whose concerns over the disposition of personal possessions after death, and an increasing search for privacy, were every bit as alive in the late Middle Ages as they are today. Nicholas Orme’s invaluable anthology encompasses all possible categories of Cornish wills surviving down to 1540. Historians always cherish wills. They are frequently the sole surviving personal document of their makers; and in this respect Orme’s collection, rendered as it is into readable modern English, provides a treasury of information. Examples range from the Rector of Creed, Reginald Mertherderwa, (d. 1448), who bequeathed one blue gown, “a little burnt”, with the proviso that the defect of burning be mended at his expense, to Robert Poyle of Fowey (d. 1502), who left “all the salt that I have in a cellar called ‘the Key’ for distribution amongst the poor”, and then to Nicholas Enys of Luxulyan (d. 1522), notable for repenting of past wrongs, and for heroic efforts to make amends in his will. Orme’s excellent notes on these, and more than 100 other Cornish will-makers, together with his splendid glossary of amusing and often unfamiliar medieval terms, combine to ensure that this collection is both gold-standard and a model for all future such anthologies. |
 Christine de Pisan: she is said to be the first woman to have earned a living by writing. From Privacy and Solitude, reviewed here |
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Diana Webb’s focus is wider in scope. From recluses seeking religious solitude, whether in Egyptian desert or Yorkshire moor, to their more secular counterparts in Florence or Kent, providing for both status and privacy in comfortable domesticity, she contrasts the common medieval image of an intensely communal society with the ardent desire of many to withdraw from public scrutiny into their own space. Webb emphasises the retreat to solitude, either permanently or temporarily, by using texts with a rich array of anecdotes, together with well documented plans of late-medieval dwelling-houses, and inventories of their furniture and fittings. She thus highlights a growing diversification and awareness of dwelling-spaces within household and garden, and demonstrates the emergence of the concept of privacy, which is sometimes taken to be peculiar to the English language, but which was not common at the time. There is, however, far more to this book than even its wide strands may suggest. Scholars of many disciplines will find much for enquiring minds to mull over and develop. The need for privacy for thought and for solitude, to refresh personally and religiously, is abundantly present in us all. Webb, using her particular expertise in both medieval Italian and English local history, admirably addresses significant changes in late-medieval society. Readers of all backgrounds will find much pleasure and reward in this original and stimulating survey, which shows that the Englishman’s home was his castle, at least from the 15th century; while Orme’s contribution is to reveal the time spent in preparing for its use after the owner’s death. Together, these two volumes form a most enjoyable partnership. Brenda Bolton formerly lectured in history at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, and is now editor of Ashgate’s Church, Faith and Culture series. Cornish Wills is available from the Administrator, Devon & Cornwall Record Society, 7 Cathedral Close, Exeter EX1 1EZ; 01392 274727; for £20 inclusive of p. & p. for UK customers (elsewhere for £25 inclusive of p. & p.).To order Privacy and Solitude, email the details to Church Times Bookshop (please mention "Church Times Bookshop price") |
