{"product_id":"a-cultural-history-of-work-valerie-l-garver-9781350278820","title":"A Cultural History of Work in the Medieval Age","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner of the 2020 PROSE Award for Multivolume Reference\/Humanities\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWork was central to medieval life. Religious and secular authorities generally expected almost everyone to work. Artistic and literary depictions underlined work's cultural value. The vast majority of medieval people engaged in agriculture because it was the only way they could obtain food. Yet their work led to innovations in technology and production and allowed others to engage in specialized labor, helping to drive the growth of cities. Many workers moved to seek employment and to improve their living conditions. For those who could not work, charity was often available, and many individuals and institutions provided forms of social welfare. Guilds protected their members and created means for the transmission of skills. When they were not at work, medieval Christians were to meet their religious obligations yet many also enjoyed various pastimes. A consideration of medieval work is therefore one of medieval society in all its creativity and complexity and that is precisely what this volume provides. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Cultural History of Work in the Medieval Age \u003c\/i\u003epresents an overview of the period with essays on economies, representations of work, workplaces, work cultures, technology, mobility, society, politics and leisure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Valerie L. Garver\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1350278823\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781350278820\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bloomsbury Academic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/16\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 232\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback","brand":"Valerie L. Garver","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44059070595327,"sku":"9781350278820","price":36.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_c2670713-59ba-4088-b04d-ad6c7421c233.jpg?v=1685056064","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/a-cultural-history-of-work-valerie-l-garver-9781350278820","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}