MADreads

In the year 1000

July 22nd, 2008 Rachel

What was life like in the year 1000?  The Year 1000 : What Life Was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium : An Englishman’s World tackles that question by taking a peek into the everyday lives of the Anglo-Saxons around the turn of the last millennium.  The authors, Robert Lacey and Danny Danziger, begin each chapter with a descriptive picture from the Julius work calendar, an early 12 month calendar from around 1020 A.D.  By framing the narration around this 12 month structure, the book delves into the life and times of the layman –what they wore, what they ate, the religious influences of the time, and who ruled Engla-lond, as it was called then.

Life in the 11th century was hard. Most people died in their 40’s.  Honey, the only source of sweetness, was a rare commodity, and safety from raiding Vikings didn’t exist. These pre-Normans eked out a life, trying to live from harvest to harvest.

If you’re looking for something more than the usual summertime read, but can’t dedicate your time to a laborious historical analysis, this book is a happy medium.  It’s a quick and interesting read and just the right balance between information and fascination.

Entry Filed under: Nonfiction