{"product_id":"old-age-in-early-medieval-england-a-cultural-history-9781783273751","title":"Old Age in Early Medieval England: A Cultural","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFirst full-length study of the notion and concept of old age in early medieval England.  How did Anglo-Saxons reflect on the experience of growing old? Was it really a golden age for the elderly, as has been suggested? This first full survey of the Anglo-Saxon cultural conceptualisation of old age, as manifested and reflected in the texts and artwork of the inhabitants of early medieval England, presents a more nuanced and complicated picture. The author argues that although senescence was associated with the potential for wisdom and pious living, the Anglo-Saxons also anticipated various social, psychological and physical repercussions of growing old. Their attitude towards elderly men and women - whether they were saints, warriors or kings - was equally ambivalent.  Multidisciplinary in approach, this book makes use of a wide variety of sources, ranging from the visual arts to hagiography, homiletic literature and heroic poetry. Individual chapters deal with early medieval definitions ofthe life cycle; the merits and drawbacks of old age as represented in Anglo-Saxon homilies and wisdom poetry; the hagiographic topos of elderly saints; the portrayal of grey-haired warriors in heroic literature; Beowulf asa mirror for elderly kings; and the cultural roles attributed to old women.    THIJS PORCK is Assistant Professor of Medieval English, Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society, Leiden University.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt once entertaining and erudite, this scholarly book makes an important case for an Anglo-Saxon attitude to old age as a time of trial, which only makes the most impressive in society - be they warriors, kings, saints, and perhaps even women - could overcome. -- FOLKLORE\u003cbr\u003eAn important and interesting monograph. It is clearly and elegantly written and considers an impressive array of evidence drawn from philology, literature, history, archaeology, prosopography, and art history. * ANGLIA *\u003cbr\u003eThis rich and highly informative book concludes with an extensive bibliography and a rather detailed index. It is a joy to learn so much about old age in early medieval England through Porck's meticulous research. He has consulted a vast range of relevant sources and offered convincing analyses. * JOURNAL OF BRITISH STUDIES *\u003cbr\u003eA detailed and interesting cultural study.which provides a useful model for studies of later periods. * FACHRS NEWSLETTER *\u003cbr\u003eCombining good judgment with ample learning in both Germanic philology and intellectual history, Porck has produced a valuable contribution to knowledge that is as stimulating as it is rigorous. * MODERN PHILOLOGY *\u003cbr\u003eA pleasure to read. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *\u003cbr\u003eThijs Porck's book on old age in England up to the eleventh century, the first full-length study of this topic, provides a vigorous and readable survey. * Speculum *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction Definitions of old age Merits of old age Drawbacks of old age frode fyrnwitan: Old saints in Anglo-Saxon hagiography hare hilderincas: Old warriors in Anglo-Saxon England ealde eðelweardas: Beowulf as a mirror of elderly kings gamole geomeowlan: Old women in Anglo-Saxon England Conclusion Bibliography","brand":"Boydell \u0026 Brewer Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49412012540247,"sku":"9781783273751","price":76.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781783273751.jpg?v=1730515374","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/old-age-in-early-medieval-england-a-cultural-history-9781783273751","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}