The Birth of Nobility

What is the real story of the history of medieval aristocracy?
For 300 years scholars in Britain and France have been working industriously to explain the idea of medieval aristocracy.  This book is the first attempt at reconciling English and French ideas about aristocracy, and shaping them into a new debate.

'The Birth of Nobility' analyses the enormous international field of publications on the subject of medieval aristocracy, breaking it down into four key debates: noble conduct, noble lineage, noble class and noble power.

For 300 years separate and mutually uncomprehending English and French historiographies have confused the history of medieval aristocracy. Unpicking the basic assumptions behind both national traditions, this book explains them, reconciles them and offers entirely new ways to take the study of aristocracy forward in both England and France.

The Birth of Nobility analyses the enormous international field of publications on the subject of medieval aristocracy, breaking it down into four key debates: noble conduct, noble lineage, noble class and noble power. Each issue is subjected to a thorough review by comparing current scholarship with what a vast range of historical source material actually says. It identifies the points of divergence in the national traditions of each of these debates and highlights where they have been mutually incomprehensible.

For students studying medieval Europe.