Constance Brittain Bouchard

This is an interesting look at the kinds of sources we use to tell the story of the political and ecclesiastical history of early medieval France, from sixth-century vitae to twelfth-century cartularies. Or indeed, in this book, from twelfth-century cartularies to sixth-century vitae, because Bouchard has organised her book in reverse chronological order—appropriate for a work which is concerned with how time and memory are constructed in the Middle Ages, but also the ways in which medieval people might deliberately forget things. The early chapters on cartularies are most useful for my purposes, but there's lots here to follow up on and think about and Bouchard handles her sources skilfully. Definitely worth reading for those with an interest in this part of the field.… (meer)

Strong of Body is an excellent read. It is well organized and covers the important issues dealing with nobility in medieval France. Its one weakness might be that it is Franco-centric, which may silence subtleties found elsewhere in medieval noble society. How does nobility in France compare with England, Germany, Italy, Spain and elsewhere? All in all, Bouchard covers the topic well and brings the complexities and nuances of nobility and chivalry into sharp focus, which makes it a recommended read for anyone looking for a detailed introduction to the topic.… (meer)