Growing Old in the Middle Ages

by Shahar, Shulamith; Lotan, Yael

• ISBN13: 9780415141260
• ISBN10: 0415141265
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-11-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

The social realities of old age have undergone profound changes since the middle ages. This study shows, however, that the images, attitudes and expectations of old people have changed for less.Shulamith Shahar shows how the status and social participation of the elderly varied according to gender, social stratum, economic resources, position, level of functioning, and personality, as well as according to regional custom.The book offers a broad cultural history of old age in medieval western Europe. Shahar examines the images, attitudes and advocated norms used in relation to the elderly and looks at the elderly in various social strata: churchmen and nuns, rulers, small office holders and soldiers, town dwellers and peasants.A valuable insight into life and society in the Middle Ages, this will prove an invaluable addition to history reading lists.

Author Biography

Shulamith Shahar is Professor Emeritus of Medieval History at Tel-Aviv University

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION: On the history of old age in Medieval Europe	1	(11)
1 WHO WERE THE OLD IN THE MIDDLE AGES?	12	(24)
2 THE OLD BODY	36	(24)
3 TRANSCENDING AGE, TRANSCENDING THE BODY	60	(10)
4 WHO AND WHAT IS AN OLD MAN, AND HOW HE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF	70	(18)
5 `HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER'	88	(10)
6 CHURCHMEN IN THEIR OLD AGE	98	(16)
7 OLD AGE IN THE RANKS OF THE RULERS AND SOLDIERS	114	(18)
8 OLD AGE IN URBAN SOCIETY	132	(14)
9 OLD AGE IN THE PEASANTRY	146	(17)
10 THE OLD AND THE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS	163	(8)
Postscript	171	(4)
Notes	175	(42)
Bibliography	217	(18)
Index	235