The Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond: A Picture of Monastic Life in the Days of Abbot Samson provides readers with a detailed account of monastic life in the 12th century. Written in a straightforward and engaging style, the book offers a unique insight into the daily routines, challenges, and triumphs of the monks living under the rule of Abbot Samson. Jocelin's vivid descriptions and personal anecdotes bring the historical period to life, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in medieval history and religious practices. The book also explores themes of loyalty, faith, and leadership within the monastery setting, making it a compelling read for scholars and general readers alike. De Brakelond, also known as Jocelin, was a monk who lived during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. His firsthand experiences at the monastery of Bury St. Edmunds inspired him to write this chronicle, providing a rare glimpse into the inner workings of monastic life. Jocelin's intimate knowledge of the people and events he describes lends authenticity and depth to his narrative, establishing him as a credible and insightful chronicler of the time. I highly recommend The Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond to readers interested in medieval history, religious studies, or simply looking to immerse themselves in a well-crafted narrative. Jocelin's detailed accounts and engaging storytelling style make this book a valuable and enlightening read for anyone curious about the realities of monastic life in the 12th century.

Reproduction of the original: The Chronicle of Jocelin de Brakelond by Jocelin de Brakelond

How different are we from those in the past? Or, how different do we think we are from those in the past? Medieval people were more dirty and unhygienic than us – as novels, TV, and film would have us believe – but how much truth is there in this notion? This book seeks to challenge some of these preconceptions by examining medieval society through rules of conduct, and specifically through the lens of a medieval Latin text entitled The Book of the Civilised Man – or Urbanus magnus – which is attributed to Daniel of Beccles. Urbanus magnus is a twelfth-century poem of almost 3,000 lines which comprehensively surveys the day-to-day life of medieval society, including issues such as moral behaviour, friendship, marriage, hospitality, table manners, and diet. Currently, it is a neglected source for the social and cultural history of daily life in medieval England, but by incorporating modern ideas of disgust and taboo, and merging anthropology, sociology, and archaeology with history, this book aims to bring it to the fore, and to show that medieval people did have standards of behaviour. Although they may seem remote to modern ‘civilised’ people, there is both continuity and change in human behaviour throughout the centuries.

Thomas Carlyle was a man of huge influence in the nineteenth century. A prolific writer and historian, he was also a fervent campaigner for social reform, attacking the laissez-faire philosophy that was so endemic in his times. Julian Symons reveals him to be an eccentric figure, a man of literary genius, but also plagued by personal tragedy.