{"product_id":"book-g459","title":"Marriage and the Family in the Middle Ages","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA compelling, lucid, and highly readable chronicle of medieval life written by the authors of the bestselling \u003cem\u003eLife in a Medieval Castle\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLife in a Medieval City\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistorians have only recently awakened to the importance of the family, the basic social unit throughout human history. This book traces the development of marriage and the family from the Middle Ages to the early modern era.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt describes how the Roman and barbarian cultural streams merged under the influence of the Christian church to forge new concepts, customs, laws, and practices. Century by century, it follows the development-sometimes gradual, at other times revolutionary-of significant elements in the history of the family, including\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe basic functions of the family as production unit, as well as its religious, social, judicial, and educational roles;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe shift of marriage from private arrangement between families to public ceremony between individuals, and the adjustments in dowry, bride-price, and counter-dowry;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe development of consanguinity rules and incest taboos in church law and lay custom;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe peasant family in its varying condition of being free or unfree, poor, middling, or rich;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003ethe aristocratic estate, the problem of the younger son, and the disinheritance of daughters;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Black Death and its long-term effects on the family;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eSex attitudes and customs: the effects of variations in age of men and women at marriage;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe changing physical environment of noble, peasant, and urban families; and\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eArrangements by families for old age and retirement.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eExpertly researched, master historians Frances and Joseph Gies-whose books were used by George R. R. Martin in his research for \u003cem\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/em\u003e-paint a compelling, detailed portrait of family life and social customs in one of the most riveting eras in history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blackstone Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49291142857008,"sku":"BDg459","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD","offer_id":49291142922544,"sku":"ZEg459","price":41.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio MP3-CD","offer_id":49291142955312,"sku":"ZMg459","price":31.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/g459-Square-cover.jpg?v=1775966195","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-g459","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}