I've read "The Book of the City of Ladies" by Christine de Pisan, which is a wonderful work. Perhaps my favorite book by a Medieval author is by Margery Kemp: "Memoirs of a Medieval Woman" where she relates her life and amazing pilgrimage to the Holy Land. She was both reviled & revered by many people of her time, but she tells a compelling and lively tale in the first person of her experiences. Both of these are very readable. Both are available online at various sellers.
Thank you so much for this video! I am a career-long feminist academic, and yet I had never heard of Christine de Pizan! I am so happy to meet her and the other women writers you have introduced to us. The books themselves are beautiful and poignant. Your enthusiasm and reverence for antique books is infectious. I look forward to more such introductions.
The ping-pong ball story is why I always shake my head when people say that the Library of Alexandria losses is just an overblown tale - that most of the materials had copies elsewhere. There had to have been countless unique books, scripts, notes that had few or no other copies - just like this book that survived in a random cupboard drawer despite all odds.
I have a Penguin paperback (printed 1987) copy of Margery Kempe's book so it is widely available after surviving at all. I used it in my study of l'histoire at university in California, USA years ago.
Hi Tom, been following you since Jonkers and its been fascinating to watch you grow your new business. I'm planning on popping down after Christmas (i hate buying anything online, just how i am). All the best and keep up the great vids.
Question. (Just discover and very much enjoying your videos). Have you any plans to make a video for those wanting to start book dealing in a small way, with modest capital?
The manuscript of Revelations of Divine Love made its way from England to France with the daughters of St Thomas More, who left England after their father ws beheaded.
Childbirth still as dangerous to millions and millions of women and babies today in so many places as it were in medieval time...Women and babies die every in childbirth day as they are too poor to go to hospital (and in many cases no hospital to go to)
Excuse the observation, but I find your waving hands in pieces to camera distracting. I have to watch them twice to make sure I get both your personality and the content of what you're saying. Still worth it 🙂
A quick correction - it is a statue of Eleanor Of Castile at the entrance!
Wow wow wow, thanks for giving those of us across the pond a chance to see this marvelous exhibit!
Thanks Cory! So glad you enjoyed it
Fascinating. It's a miracle that these books survived throughout history. Gives us a better glimpse of the lives of Medieval women.
I've read "The Book of the City of Ladies" by Christine de Pisan, which is a wonderful work. Perhaps my favorite book by a Medieval author is by Margery Kemp: "Memoirs of a Medieval Woman" where she relates her life and amazing pilgrimage to the Holy Land. She was both reviled & revered by many people of her time, but she tells a compelling and lively tale in the first person of her experiences. Both of these are very readable. Both are available online at various sellers.
Your interview style is absolutely excellent
In American parlance: You hit this one out of the park, Mr. Ayling. Kudos to your continued excellent content and for the British Library.
It's incredible seeing such old books and what an interesting piece of history!! Thanks for sharing.
My favorite UA-cam channel. You’ve converted me from an engineering nerd into a book collector
Thank you so much for this video! I am a career-long feminist academic, and yet I had never heard of Christine de Pizan! I am so happy to meet her and the other women writers you have introduced to us. The books themselves are beautiful and poignant. Your enthusiasm and reverence for antique books is infectious. I look forward to more such introductions.
Magnificent post Tom
Thank you!
The ping-pong ball story is why I always shake my head when people say that the Library of Alexandria losses is just an overblown tale - that most of the materials had copies elsewhere. There had to have been countless unique books, scripts, notes that had few or no other copies - just like this book that survived in a random cupboard drawer despite all odds.
That was incredible, thanks for sharing.
I have a Penguin paperback (printed 1987) copy of Margery Kempe's book so it is widely available after surviving at all. I used it in my study of l'histoire at university in California, USA years ago.
I am so envious of you that you got to do this! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Tom, been following you since Jonkers and its been fascinating to watch you grow your new business. I'm planning on popping down after Christmas (i hate buying anything online, just how i am). All the best and keep up the great vids.
Amazing, definitely going to the exhibition
I just bought a copy of Revelation of Divine Love, for my kindle. Thanks for enlightening me.
Thank you Tom, extremely interesting. I was aware of Julian or Norwich and Margery Kemp but not the others.
Enjoyed, thank you.
Question. (Just discover and very much enjoying your videos). Have you any plans to make a video for those wanting to start book dealing in a small way, with modest capital?
Divine! Thank you
Great job man !
The manuscript of Revelations of Divine Love made its way from England to France with the daughters of St Thomas More, who left England after their father ws beheaded.
I'm so glad the family looking for ping pong balls didn't throw that book on the fire! Great video, thanks so much!
A lucky escape!
Childbirth still as dangerous to millions and millions of women and babies today in so many places as it were in medieval time...Women and babies die every in childbirth day as they are too poor to go to hospital (and in many cases no hospital to go to)
Even in hospitals, not a small risk
you are my worst, worst influence... by the end of your videos, I've spent a fortune! hahaha
"Revelations of Divine Love" prove that Julian of Norwich knew all about Clickbait titles.
Seems that every crowd has at least one ass.
Just Wow!!!!! It left me dumbfounded
👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
thank you for never giving us any year or date - we are still like medieval women who are not holpen by this sort of male figures...
When presenting, never turn away from the camera! Great and informative video though. Interesting and insightful!
Excuse the observation, but I find your waving hands in pieces to camera distracting. I have to watch them twice to make sure I get both your personality and the content of what you're saying. Still worth it 🙂