Why read The Rise and Fall of Merry England?

Book cover of The Rise and Fall of Merry England: The Ritual Year 1400-1700

Book description

Highly readable and entertaining, Ronald Hutton's acclaimed work is the first comprehensive account of the religious and secular rituals of late medieval and early modern England.

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Topics

The Middle Ages

Genres

European history

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Rise and Fall of Merry England as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

ffiona Perigrinor

Author

I’m passionate about writing well-researched history which appeals to the general reader and endeavours to present compelling, authentic pictures of times past. Hutton’s book was a great help in understanding the religious and secular festivals which were celebrated by Dame Alice, her peers, and workers, on the days when she served high-status food at her dinner table. Together they appear to have enjoyed many traditional rituals, like Candlemas, Plough days, and the Harvest festival.

Here’s one example: Hutton emphasizes New Year’s Day was important for gift-giving and feasting: on January 1st, 1413 Dame Alice bought gloves and rings for her…

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