Source Texts with Scholarly Studies
Listed below you will find some suggested primary texts in translation along with recent scholarly studies that help to contextualize the original sources.
Arthurian Legend
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Consuming passions: the uses of cannibalism in late medieval and early modern EuropeCeltic or Anglo-Norman England
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Language and Culture in Medieval Britain: The French of England, c.1100-c.1500
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Celtic BritainChaucer
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Chaucer's England: literature in historical context
Chivalry -
Chivalry in medieval England
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Medieval Britain: the age of chivalryThe Church
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Church and society in late medieval EnglandThis study by R. N. Swanson includes chapters on the clergy, Church reform, heresy, and other significant issues.
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Food in Medieval England: Diet and Nutrition
Gender -
Gender in debate from the early Middle Ages to the RenaissanceHistory of the English Language
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The Cambridge history of the English languageGeneral history of the English language
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The Handbook of the History of EnglishHandbook for the linguistic study of English-language history
Magic -
Magic and superstition in Europe: a concise history from antiquity to the presentIn this recent study by Michael David Bailey, see Chapter 3 "Varieties of magic in the High and Late Middle Ages."
Marriage -
Love and marriage in late medieval LondonTranslations of selected medieval texts and documents
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Marriage, sex and civic culture in late medieval LondonSee this recent study by Shannon McSheffrey for more information on marriage.
Masculinity -
How the wise man taught his sonne. Translated by Claire Sponsler. Published in Medieval conduct literature: an anthology of vernacular guides to behaviour for youths, with English translationsThis and the companion piece, How the Goodwife Taught her Daughter,address the bourgeois concerns of merchant and craft families. The text is also available as an ebook.
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The masculine self in late medieval EnglandSee this recent study by Derek G. Neal for more information on masculinity.
Orality and Written Culture -
Author, reader, book: medieval authorship in theory and practiceQueer Sexuality
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The plaint of natureThis text written by Alan of Lille, a 12th century poet and theologian, in part rails against what he sees as sexual deviance.
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Chaucer’s Queer NationSee this study by Glenn Burger for more information.
Religion -
Religion and the decline of magic: studies in popular beliefs in sixteenth and seventeenth century EnglandAn older edition of this text is also available.
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Rites and religions of the Anglo-SaxonsRichard I
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Richard IAn older edition of this text is also available.
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Love, sex and marriage in the Middle Ages: a sourcebookA collection of texts from the medieval period translated into English
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Sexuality in Medieval Europe: Doing unto othersFor more information on sexuality see this recent study by Ruth Mazo Karras.
Women and Anglo-Saxon England -
The discourse of enclosure: representing women in Old English literatureWomen in the High- to Late-Middle Ages
