[Illustration: LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES] Life on a Mediaeval Barony A Picture of a Typical Feudal Community in the Thirteenth Century By William Stearns Davis, Ph.D. _Professor of History in the University of Minnesota_ ILLUSTRATED [Illustration] Harper & Brothers Publishers New York and London MCMXXIII LIFE ON A MEDIÆVAL BARONY Copyright, 1922 By Harper & Brothers Printed in the U. S. A. _First Edition_ G-1 To Ephraim Emerton Master Interpreter of Mediæval History this book is dedicated by an ever-grateful pupil. Table of Contents Chapter Page I. The Fief of St. Aliquis; Its History and Denizens 1 II. The Castle of St. Aliquis 16 III. How the Castle Wakes. Baronial Hospitality 41 IV. Games and Diversions. Falconry and Hunting. The Baroness's Garden 51 V. The Family of the Baron. Life of the Women 70 VI. The Matter of Clothes. A Feudal Wedding 88 VII. Cookery and Mealtimes 113 VIII. The Jongleurs and Secular Literature and Poetry 132 IX. The Feudal Relationship. Doing Homage 146 X. Justice and Punishments 159 XI. The Education of a Feudal Nobleman 176 XII. Feudal Weapons and Horses. Dubbing a Knight 189 XIII. The Tourney 208 XIV. A Baronial Feud. The Siege of a Castle 224 XV. A Great Feudal Battle--Bouvines 241 XVI. The Life of the Peasants 253 XVII. Charity. Care of the Sick. Funerals 275 XVIII. Popular Religion. Pilgrimages. Superstitions. Relic Worship 286 XIX. The Monastery of St. Aliquis: Buildings, Organization. An Ill-Ruled Abbey 312 XX. The Monastery of St. Aliquis: The Activities of Its Inmates. Monastic Learning 330 XXI. The "Good Town" of Pontdebois: Aspect and Organization 343 XXII. Industry and Trade in Pontdebois. The Great Fair 357 XXIII. The Lord Bishop. The Canons. The Parish Clergy 373 XXIV. The Cathedral and Its Builders 393 Illustrations Life in the Middle Ages Frontispiece The Castle of St. Aliquis Page xiv Typical Castle of the Middle Ages " 17