{"product_id":"old-age-in-early-medieval-england-a-cultural-history-9781783276349","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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\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\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":48868272570711,"sku":"9781783276349","price":24.69,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781783276349.jpg?v=1722287236","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/old-age-in-early-medieval-england-a-cultural-history-9781783276349","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}