posted 09-30-2000 10:49 PM               

I went poking around and found some interesting books. Not all of them deal with Medieval Russia, for example the first book, Gwen might find of interest just from a "golly gee" POV.

Food and Drink in Medieval Polandby Maria DembinskaThe culinary history and eating habits of Medieval Poland was something previously unavailable or relatively inaccessible to a non-Polish audience. This book brings together evidence from archaeology, material culture and ethnography for the dietary habits at all social levels, from kings, queens and nobles, to peasants and monks. Includes thirty-five recipes for the reader to experiment with, and experience Polish cuisine at first-hand. 227p (Polish Academy of Sciences 1963, revised University of Pennsylvania Press 1999)ISBN 0812232240. Hardback available. Price US $29.95

The next one is a tad early, but may be good for background.

The Emergence of Rus 750-1200 by Simon Franklin and Jonathan Shepard Traces the progress and development of the realm of the `Rus' from its infancy to its maturation into a highly organised territory of prosperous towns with a common language, religion and leadership. 405p, 15 maps(Longman 1996)
Hardback. Price US $90.00
Paperback. Price US $36.00

Janos, you might find the next group of interest if you do not already possess them. They ould be very helpful with aspects of politics and history for you personae.

Medieval Russia, 980-1584 by Janet Martin Comprehensive description of the major events and people during this period, which stretches from the the reign of Vladimir the Saint to that of Ivan the Terrible. 450p, 25 figs and illus (Cambridge UP 1995)

ISBN 0521362768. Hardback available. Price US $69.95
ISBN 0521368324. Paperback available. Price US $22.95

Medieval Russia: A Sourcebook, 850-1700 edited by Basil Dmytryshyn A selection of 70 translated documents illustrating the political, social, economic, religious, cultural, and legal life of Medieval Russians. 536p (Holt Rinehart, 3rd edition 1991)

ISBN 0030334225. Paperback available. Price US $48.00

Russia and the Mongol Yoke, 1221-1502
by Leo de Hartog Exploring a fascinating and little known period of Russian history, de Hartog traces the inexorable progress of the Mongol armies across eastern Europe, vividly recreating the destruction and terror that were their weapons of conquest. He describes the lives and careers of the khans and the princes who opposed them; the dynastic and political machinations by which Russia and its neighbouring states were riven; the gradual centralisation of power in Moscow as the Golden Horde's control over its empire dwindled; and the role of the Church as a unifying force. Finally, he discusses the extent to which the Mongols' had a lasting influence on Russia, and the means by which that influence was achieved. 212p, 5 maps, 5 tables (British Academic Press/Tauris 1996)

ISBN 1850439613. Hardback available. Price US $59.50

posted 09-30-2000 11:02 PM               

Another book that I have that is a great reference book is
Arms & Armour of the Crusading Era 1050-1350: Islam, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Plenty of find sketches and brief descriptions of them. Helps to have to cross reference other books and see what armours are available at certain times and places. Now I just need to get the western European version partner to this book.

posted 09-30-2000 11:22 PM               

If you can't find them at the local bookstore, they can be found at Oxbow's website.
www.oxbowbooks.com (go to the David Brown link) Browse the catalog, and select the Medieval World section. It gives all of the Medieval topics in their database.

If you have the title, you might be able to track it down via www.addall.com/used/

This is great book search engine. It searches all of the major national and international book sellers (ABE, Powells, Blackwells, etc...). It is how I found some very obscure books on Burgundy that deal specifically with our 15th c. timeframe.

Cheers!

posted 10-01-2000 02:56 AM               

I’ve not read all of it yet, and I’ve not yet had time to try any of the recipes, but I can give you an idea of the book firsthand.

In short, there are no surviving medieval Polish food manuscripts. Maria Dembinska has collected virtually all of the corollary evidence to *reconstruct* medieval Polish cuisine. Using margin notes and ingredients lists from court records, archaeological evidence and extrapolating on what visitors from outside Poland might have contributed to the cuisine, she creates medieval style dishes. These dishes seem to be well within the realm of reason for this time and place, and I have yet to discover anything outlandish, as may be found in M.P. Cosman’s “Fabulous Feasts”. I have not had the opportunity to try any of the recipes but many of them look like they will be quite delicious.

The author packs a tremendous amount of information into the pages of this book. It is scholarly without being dry, and I am finding highly readable and interesting. AM and I have discussed it, and the recipes show a clear relation to the cuisines of Germany and Flanders of this period.

With a cover price of about $30, this book is a fine addition to the shelves of any medieval food scholar, or anyone interested in medieval cookery.