Minstrels and Minstrelsy in Late Medieval England

RICHARD RASTALL is Emeritus Professor of Historical Musicology at The University of Leeds and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.Taylor Andrew :

ANDREW TAYLOR is Professor of English at the University of Ottawa.

In short, this volume sets out what we know and what we still need to work out, presenting this material in an engaging and precise manner. Its utility as a reference tool cannot be overstated, but most of all it is an engaging and stimulating read for anyone interested in the period.

Rastall and Taylor remind the reader that much remains to be done to expand their account, but the book is certainly an impressive consolidation of research undertaken by these authors and others before them, and is written with the confidence and clarity of those who have spent a considerable proportion of their careers documenting minstrelsy and other musical practices.

This welcome study, both detailed and comprehensive, surveys the current state of the field and demonstrates that minstrel performers played a more significant role in late medieval English society than is often recognized.

This excellent book is not only about exploding myths, but also about a careful reassessment of the evidence available. This book is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to delve into medieval music-making.

Minstrels and Minstrelsy is testament to Rastall's lifelong dedication to the study of this topic. Rastall and Taylor have gathered and presented a wealth of evidence with skill and nuance, and have reached honest conclusions. This book greatly increases our understanding of the day-to-day lives of minstrels.

Rastall and Taylor contribute to the continuing efforts to move away from romanticized images of the Middle Ages peddled by modern myth. In doing so they reveal just how little we concretely know about medieval minstrelsy, but cement its study as a fascinating window through which we can gain a deeper understanding of the people and culture of late medieval England.