Medieval people / by Eileen Power ; with 8 illustrations and a map.

  • Eileen Power
Date:
[1925]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Medieval people / by Eileen Power ; with 8 illustrations and a map. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    CHAPTER I THE PEASANT BODO LIFE ON A COUNTRY ESTATE IN THE TIME OF CHARLEMAGNE Three slender things that best support the world : the slender stream of milk from the cow’s dug into the pail ; the slender blade of green corn upon the ground ; the slender thread over the hand of a skilled woman. Three sounds of increase : the lowing of a cow in milk ; the din of a smithy ; the swish of a plough. —From The Triads of Ireland (9th century) ECONOMIC HISTORY, as we know it, is the newest of all the branches of history. Up to the middle of the last century the chief interest of the historian and of the public alike lay in political and constitutional history, in political events, wars, dynasties, and in political institutions and their development. Substantially, there¬ fore, history concerned itself with the ruling classes. “ Let us now praise famous men,” was the historian’s motto. He forgot to add “ and our fathers that begat us.” He did not care to probe the obscure lives and activities of the great mass of humanity, upon whose slow toil was built up the prosperity of the world and who were the hidden foundation of the political and constitu¬ tional edifice reared by the famous men he praised. To speak of ordinary people would have been beneath the dignity of history. Carlyle struck a significant note of revolt : “ The thing I want to see,” he said, “ is not Red-book lists and Court Calendars and Parliamentary Registers,