This volume examines the aristocracy in Tuscany and in England across a period of two and a half centuries (1000-1250). It deals first with Tuscany, tracing the history of the aristocracy and illustrating its nature and evolution, and observing aristocratic behaviour and attitudes, and how aristocrats related to other members of society. Peter Coss then examines the history of England in the same periods. It is not, however, a comparative history, but employs Italian insights to look at the aristocracy in England and to move away from the traditional interpretation which revolves around Magna Carta and the idea of English exceptionalism. By offering a study of the aristocracy across a wide time-frame and with themes drawn from Italian historiography, Coss offers a new approach to studying aristocracy within its own contexts.

The Aristocracy in England and Tuscany, 1000 - 1250

History

COSS, Peter

Europe

Oxford University Press

In The Foundations of Gentry Life, Peter Coss examines the formative years of the English gentry. In doing so, he explains their lasting characteristics during a long history as a social elite, including adaptability to change and openness to upward mobility from below.Revolving around the rich archive left by the Multons of Frampton in South Lincolnshire, the book explores the material culture of the gentry, their concern with fashion and their obsession with display. It pays close attention to the visitors to their homes, and to the social relationships betweenmen and women. Coss shows that the gentry household was a literate community, within a literate local world, and he studies closely the consumption of literature, paying particular attention to household entertainment.Beyond their households, then gentry could assert their pre-eminence in the local community through involvement with the Church and the management of their estates. Treating the relationship between gentry and Church in both devotional and institutional terms, Coss shows how religious practice was ameans for the gentry to assert social dominance, and they increasingly treated the Church as a career path for their kin. Protecting their estates was of similar importance, and legal expertise was highly prized-it consequently provided a major means of entry into the gentry, as well as offeringfurther opportunities for younger sons.Overall, Coss reveals that the cultural horizons of the gentry were essentially local. Nevertheless there were wider dimensions, and the book concludes with observations on how national and chivalric concerns interacted with the rhythms of regional life.

The Foundations of Gentry Life: The Multons of Frampton and their World 1270-1370 (The Past and Present Book Series)

Historical Study & Educational Resources

Politics and Society in Mid Thirteenth-Century England: The Troubled Realm

In The Foundations of Gentry Life, Peter Coss examines the formative years of the English gentry. In doing so, he explains their lasting characteristics during a long history as a social elite, including adaptability to change and openness to upward mobility from below, chiefly from the professions. Revolving around the rich archive left by the Multons of Frampton in South Lincolnshire, the book explores the material culture of the gentry, their concern with fashion and their obsession with display. It pays close attention to the visitors to their homes, and to the social relationships between men and women. Coss shows that the gentry household was a literate community, within a literate local world, and he studies closely the consumption of literature, paying particular attention to household entertainment. Beyond their households, then gentry could assert their pre-eminence in the local community through involvement with the Church and the management of their estates. Treating the relationship between gentry and Church in both devotional and institutional terms, Coss shows how religious practice was a means for the gentry to assert social dominance, and they increasingly treated the Church as a career path for their kin. Protecting their estates was of similar importance, and legal expertise was highly prized-it consequently provided a major means of entry into the gentry, as well as offering further opportunities for younger sons. Overall, Coss reveals that the cultural horizons of the gentry were essentially local. Nevertheless there were wider dimensions, and the book concludes with observations on how national and chivalric concerns interacted with the rhythms of regional life.

The Origins of the English Gentry (Past and Present Publications)

Although the gentry played a central role in medieval England, this study is the first sustained exploration of its origins and development between the mid-thirteenth and the mid-fourteenth century. Arguing against views which see the gentry as formed or created earlier, the text investigates as well the relationship between lesser landowners and the Angevin state; the transformation of knighthood; and the role of lesser landowners in society and politics.

Cambridge University Press

Although the gentry played a central role in medieval England, this study is the first sustained exploration of its origins and development between the mid-thirteenth and the mid-fourteenth century. Arguing against views which see the gentry as formed or created earlier, the text investigates as well the relationship between lesser landowners and the Angevin state; the transformation of knighthood; and the role of lesser landowners in society and politics.

The Knight in Medieval England 1000-1400

Sutton Publishing

80 b/w + 10 color illustrations 6 x 9 Although a number of books portray the life of nobility in medieval England, most present the romantic ideal rather than reality. This new paperback edition of Peter Coss's insightful work focuses on the lady's role in medieval society and how she related to and participated in the prevailing male culture of gentility. Equally important, the author discusses how the lady was perceived both by herself and by her male counterparts. Peter Coss is professor of medieval history and director of the Centre for the Study of Medieval Society and Culture at the University of Wales, Cardiff. He has published several books on medieval society. He has also served on the council of the Royal Historical Society.

Lady in Medieval England

Stackpole Books

The author draws on fresh research for a new interpretation of the actual role of the knight in England during the middle ages. The knight underwent a process of evolution from a mounted warrior of modest means to an important member of the medieval hierarchy, with important local administrative functions in addition to military duties.
There was an underlying sense of danger about the knight, with the monarchy, the church, and the poet all trying to fix his place in society. The monarchy wanted each knight to be part of a higher noble's retinue, the church wanted to orient him to crusades and disciplined crusading orders, while the poet emphasised adherence to lofty ideals.
For those interested in the visual splendor of knighthood, the book is extensively illustrated with medieval seals, sculptures and manuscripts, including over 100 coats of arms in full color. -- Fascinating account of the knight's actual role in medieval society. -- Explanation of the relationship of the historical knight to the fictional knight of Piers Plowman, Canterbury Tales, and other literary works.

Knight In Medieval England 1000-1400

Americas

Da Capo Press

Inspired by current debates around political confrontation and the exercise of power, Fabrizio Titone offers an interpretation based on the concept of disciplined dissent. This interpretation is centred on the notion of diffused power and is designed to transcend the binary distinction consensus/resistance. The aim is to identify the conservative process involved in mounting a critique, a protest, through which those who object may have intercepted and then deployed on their own account the cultural repertoire of those in a position of authority. This was with a view to obtaining a hearing, or even influencing the activities of the government and decentering the exercise of power. The essays collected here take as their theoretical point of departure the concept of disciplined dissent. In order to ascertain how adaptable the latter is, the decision was taken to include studies relating to wholly distinct political contexts. Contributions by scholars from different backgrounds shed light upon different circumstances prevailing in continental and non-continental medieval Europe. The aim is to offer a broad spectrum of analyses on political confrontation, the formulation of critiques and the attainment of spaces for participation by means of non-violent protest.

Disciplined Dissent: Strategies of Non-Confrontational Protest in Europe from the Twelfth to the Early Sixteenth Century (Viella Historical Research, 4)

Watts, John

Asenjo-Gonzalez, Maria

Fynn-Paul, Jeff

H Rosenwein, Barbara

Lutter, Christina

Munoz Fernandez, Angela

Poloni, Alma

Titone, Fabrizio

Viella - Liberia Editrice

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by COSS, Peter. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by COSS, Peter

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by COSS, Peter. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Aristocracy in England and Tuscany, 1000 - 1250

The Foundations of Gentry Life: The Multons of Frampton and their World 1270-1370 (The Past and Present Book Series)

Politics and Society in Mid Thirteenth-Century England: The Troubled Realm

The Foundations of Gentry Life: The Multons of Frampton and their World 1270-1370 (The Past and Present Book Series)

The Origins of the English Gentry (Past and Present Publications)

The Origins of the English Gentry (Past and Present Publications)

The Knight in Medieval England 1000-1400

Lady in Medieval England

Knight In Medieval England 1000-1400

Disciplined Dissent: Strategies of Non-Confrontational Protest in Europe from the Twelfth to the Early Sixteenth Century (Viella Historical Research, 4)