From the brink of the apocalypse : confronting famine, war, plague, and death in the later Middle Ages

Praise for the first edition: "Aberth wears his very considerable and up-to-date scholarship lightly and his study of a series of complex and somber calamites is made remarkably vivid." — Barrie Dobson, Honorary Professor of History, University of York The later Middle Ages was a period of unparalleled chaos and misery -in the form of war, famine, plague, and death. At times it must have seemed like the end of the world was truly at hand. And yet, as John Aberth reveals in this lively work, late medieval Europeans' cultural assumptions uniquely equipped them to face up postively to the huge problems that they faced. Relying on rich literary, historical and material sources, the book brings this period and its beliefs and attitudes vividly to life. Taking his themes from the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, John Aberth describes how the lives of ordinary people were transformed by a series of crises, including the Great Famine, the Black Death and the Hundred Years War. Yet he also shows how prayers, chronicles, poetry, and especially commemorative art reveal an optimistic people, whose belief in the apocalypse somehow gave them the ability to transcend the woes they faced on this earth. This second edition is brought fully up to date with recent scholarship, and the scope of the book is broadened to include many more examples from mainland Europe. The new edition features fully revised sections on famine, war, and plague, as well as a new epitaph. The book draws some bold new conclusions and raises important questions, which will be fascinating reading for all students and general readers with an interest in medieval history. "Relying on rich literary and historical sources John Aberth brings this period to life. Taking his themes from the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he describes how the Great Famine and Black Death swept away nearly half of Europe's population, while the royal houses of England and France were engaged in a Hundred Years War that meant perpetual political strife. Above all loomed the specter of Death, ever present and constantly feared.". "Throughout the later Middle Ages, ordinary people were transformed by these daunting and fearful series of crises, yet in their prayers, chronicles, poetry, and especially their commemorative art are foreshadowings of the age to come. As John Aberth reveals in this informative and sympathetic work, in their struggles we glimpse the birth of the modern."--BOOK JACKET. Taking His Themes From The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse, The Author Describes How The Great Famine And Black Death Swept Away Nearly Half Of Europe's Population, While The Royal Houses Of England And France Engaged In The Hundred Years' War. Prologue -- Famine -- War -- Plague -- Death -- Epitaph. John Aberth. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 287-305) And Index. Describes how the lives of ordinary people in the Middle Ages were transformed by a series of crises. This book also shows how cultural assumptions, including a belief in the apocalypse, gave people an ability to face up positively to these problems. List of illustrations viii Acknowledgments xi Chronology xii Maps xv Note to the second edition xx Prologue 1 Famine 7 War 43 Plague 79 Death 214 Epitaph 271 Tables 276 Bibliography 287 Index 306 Famine, our first apocalyptic horseman, connives to wreak its misery repeatedly upon mankind while its victims stand by, seemingly powerless to act.