A Cultural History of Leisure In the Medieval Age

During the Middle Ages (500-1450), active leisure was considered a productive activity, distinct from work and devotional pursuits. Running, fencing, playing ball, swimming, dancing, hunting or singing all could help to keep one’s humours in balance and therefore maintain one’s mental and physical health. Idle leisure, however, was supposed to be avoided because it could lead to the deadly sin of sloth, corrupting both mind and body. At least this was the theory. To what extent were medieval people weighing the risks and rewards of the leisure activities they engaged in, and to what extent were they simply interested in having fun while enjoying performances, feasting or window shopping? What do medieval texts and images tell us about the kinds of leisure activities that enriched the lives of various social groups? Do the popular dreamworlds of the Land of Cockaigne – endless leisure with no time allotted for devotion or work – indicate where the true medieval priorities lay? A Cultural History of Leisure in the Middle Ages, paying particular attention to England and France, presents an overview of key themes and trends in this period, with essays on: Ideas of leisure; The performing arts and their audiences; The cerebral arts and their publics; Sports and games; Holydays, holidays and tourism; The world of conviviality; The world of goods; The world of nature; Representations of leisure.