BIRTH OF NOBILITY: CONSTRUCTING ARISTOCRACY IN ENGLAND AND FRANCE, 900-1300

"The history of medieval aristocracy is in crisis, collapsing under the weight of three centuries of work and confused by separate and mutually uncomprehending Anglophone and Francophone historiographies. David Crouch lucidly summarises and analyses this enormous international field of publications, unpicking the basic assumptions behind both national traditions in order to explain and reconcile them. He offers new ways to take the study of aristocracy forward in both England and France." "The Birth of Nobility breaks down the study of medieval aristocracy into four debates on noble conduct, noble lineage, noble class and noble power. Each is subjected to a thorough review by comparing current scholarship with a vast range of historical source material."--Jacket.