Medieval Bestsellers: What Kind of Books did Medieval People Read?

[@jordancourtney9142]

As a history student in college with a somewhat deep interest in poetry, the song of Roland sounds so interesting

[@HighlyEntropicMind]

In high school we were learning about the Medieval times and a professor told us we had two read one out of three books and make a report on it: The Song of my Cid, The Song of the Nibelungs, or The Song of Roldan. I chose The Song of Roldan but then I just forgot about it for like a month, until the professor told us "remember the reports are due tomorrow". I got to my house, found the book in pdf, and decided to read just enough of it to be able to write a report, but then something unexpected happened: I began liking it A LOT. It was so exciting, so cool, I would write a little bit of the report and then go back to the book. it was very late at night but I didn't want to go to sleep before I could finish the book, I didn't even care about the report anymore. In particular I like the scene where Roldan talks to his sword before dying, and I like when Roldan is thinking about the priest who was with them, and you think he's probably dead by now, but then he appears, covered in blood, his staff is covered in blood and entrails, and you realize this priest was also a fucking badass warrior. Iconic. I got a 10 in the report (which was basically an A+)

[@georgem7502]

I did my first ever undergrad presentation just at 18 on La Chanson de Roland - great, mad, swashbuckling story of over the top heroic violence!

[@moleculeman27]

Fascinating, as ever. I'd never heard of the golden legend.

[@AlexWilkins89]

Criminally under watched channel, every topic is so interesting! Thank you for these videos.

[@NizzahonHistory]

Glad you like them!

[@lyrigageforge3259]

@@NizzahonHistory So how did medieval people like merchants, craftsmen and farmers keep track of their income or the content of, which ever agreements they made or the letters written - there were entire systems for merchants sending messages between them selves and their clients - if they didn't know math or to read? That particular claim that only clergy and noblemen knew to read is a bit old and out dated information.

[@lirangorgon]

Boy, this video went a lot deeper than I expected. You really know how to flex your researcher muscles. Great video! So, given that your dissertation is about Jewish converts, would you do a video about how Jews avenged the Banishment From Spain? You know what I'm talking about.... Pirates! Yes, I know its not strictly a middle ages topic, but still, it has its roots in that period. Please?

[@MindGameArcade]

Super interesting as always

[@NizzahonHistory]

Glad you think so!

[@markadkins1842]

This was a cool video! The Song of Roland always fascinated me, so I enjoyed hearing about it here.

[@NizzahonHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nickbalmes6640]

Dr. Nizzahon, I would love to take one of your courses in college :)

[@NizzahonHistory]

Maybe one day!

[@waaaaaaah5135]

1:10 I've heard that actually people were 'literate', just not in French/Latin, what's your take on it? (video in question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXq2fmWlmZh1gJI)

[@NizzahonHistory]

I think maybe we underestimate literacy, but there just isn't enough evidence to indicate very many people were literate. It is largely anecdotal and speculative, including in that video.

[@Jelly_Juice2006]

I love the Middle Ages :)

[@NizzahonHistory]

Me too!

[@Jelly_Juice2006]

@@NizzahonHistory i have many coins and manuscripts form the Middle Ages, even a 12th century illuminated manuscript which is rare

[@MindGameArcade]

Hmmmmm... So before the printing press or after? Trying to guess before the beginning of the video. Hard to imagine a best seller before the printing press, and if it's after it's gotta be the bible... Let's watch and find out!

[@NizzahonHistory]

Before. The invention of the printing press pretty much ends the Middle Ages.

[@lyrigageforge3259]

This video creator has a bit out dated info - for example merchants had entire systems of sending letters between each other related to their business across Europe and daughters too would at times learn to read and do bit of math cause it's useful in household care too. But I namely wish he would stop speaking as if he was in hurry to finish every sentence, as I find doing that rises the pitch of his voice and I have difficulty of finding good volume setting to stop it sounding either too high for ears or not loud enough. And that is said with all kindness. Notably added level of 'enthusiasm' in the voice in You Tube videos translates at times too much into what sounds like shouting, and making it high pitched - all though that problem is often more common for us women. It just is easier to listen relaxed a tone.

[@sshim950]

: )