A Medieval Miscellany

What a marvelous find at the local Oxfam bookshop this week!  Not only is a good browse always appreciated, but leaving with a beautiful book is always a wonderful experience for a self-confessed bibliophile.  This one - A Medieval Miscellany - takes you through various medieval texts, selected by Judith Herrin, covering more than 100 subjects as diverse as spring, love, marriage, dress sense, warfare, shepherds, ugly feet, harvest, prayer, art, pilgrimage, trade, hunting, plague, snow, music, teaching, Christmas, and much more.  This alone would be fascinating reading, but what really brings the book to life is the accompanying illustrations, taken from original medieval manuscripts, and presented beautifully on every page.  One for all seasons, to read in the garden on a still summer's day, and to cozy up in the armchair on a frosty winter's night.