Review: A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century

[gridlore]

A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara W. Tuchman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An utterly fascinating history of Western Europe in the 14th century, loosely following the life of Enguerrand VII, the Sire de Coucy, a formidable castle in Northern France. Not a strict biography, but rather a history of the times that uses the Sire de Coucy as an anchor point.

It's a good choice. Enguerrand was an accomplished knight, counselor, diplomat, and since he was married to a daughter of Edward III, he had holdings in England. He was present at or had a hand in many of the important events the shook France in the latter half of the century.

We see the effects of the Black Death and the social upheaval it brought. We follow the Great Schism with two rival popes in Avignon and Rome and the various plans to reunite the papacy. And, of course, the constant wars with England, with the Italian city-states, and the encroaching Berbers and Turks.

The book can bog down, but overall it's a fun read, filled with nuggets of information that really fill out your view of the era. We see time and again how the French commitment to the ideals of chivalry and personal glory in battle costs them in fights they should have won. We see the politics at work across Europe as noble families work to advance their lines above all others.

I highly recommend this book to history lovers. You will come away with a far better understanding of the world in the Late Medieval era and if you are a writer of any sort, endless ideas to plunder.



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Comments

[isomeme]

Tuchman is one of my favorite historians. She offers a perfect combination of meticulous research, vivid descriptions, and a keen eye for just the right details to include. You would also love her _The Guns of August_, which addresses the beginning of World War One. President Kennedy credited that one with helping him navigate the Cuban missile crisis without going to wear.