Product Description: Desde la antiguedad los hombres necesitaron creer que podrian recibir ayuda de las fuerzas de la naturaleza o de un ser superior. Recurrieron a la religion pero tambien a la supersticion y la magia para dominar el destino. Cual es la tenue frontera que separa los milagros de los santos de lo que hacen los brujos? En cualquier investigacion sobre lo sagrado y lo sobrenatural surge este dilema: con Dios? contra Dios? Al revisar ideas y aspectos cotidianos de nuestros antepasados Verdon revela un oscuro mundo de creencias y practicas secretas...read more

Product Description: El Ateneo. Buenos Aires. 2006. 23 cm. 276 p. Encuadernación en tapa blanda de editorial ilustrada. Traducción de Silvia Kot. Civilización. -S. V-XV. Historia medieval. -Estudios, ensayos, conferencias, etc .. Este libro es de segunda mano y tiene o puede tener marcas y señales de su anterior propietario...read more

Travel in the Middle Ages is filled with the stories and adventures of those who hazarded hostile landscapes, elements, and people—out of want or necessity—to get from place to place. While most journeys involved very short distances (home to market or village to village), longer trips were not uncommon in the Middle Ages. Clergy were frequently called upon to act as ambassadors, messengers, and overseers to the various monasteries and churches within their jurisdiction. Merchants, agents of the king, and pilgrims were also frequently required to travel. While sharing the fascinating stories of these ordinary wayfarers, Verdon also relates colorful tales of the journeys of notable historical figures such as Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus. Part I of Travel in the Middle Ages addresses the means by which people traveled. This section contains vivid descriptions of modes of conveyance, road systems, sea lanes, tolls, taxes, and even pirates. Knowing the risks involved, why did people brave the uncertainty of travel? Part II of the book addresses this question by identifying five main motivational categories of medieval travel. Part III deals with travel myths, monsters, and fictitious journeys of medieval fantasy writers. Verdon concludes with a pithy critique of travel in the modern world. Appearing for the first time in an English translation, Travel in the Middle Ages will delight anyone with an interest in medieval culture or travel books. (view table of contents)

Explores what nighttime meant in the medieval world, discussing activities hidden by the darkness of night, attempts to tame the night with improved lighting and armed patrols, and medieval sleep habits. (view table of contents)