Middle ages in modern culture : history and authenticity in contemporary medievalism / edited by Karl Alvestad and Robert Houghton.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Alvestad, Karl, editor.

Houghton, Robert, editor.

Series:

New Directions in Medieval Studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Medievalism--Social aspects.

Medievalism.

Middle Ages in popular culture.

Middle Ages in motion pictures.

Middle Ages on television.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (288 pages) : illustrations.

Edition:

First edition.

Distribution:

[London, England] : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021

Other Title:

Middle ages in modern culture

Place of Publication:

Bloomsbury

London [England] : Bloomsbury, 2021.

Summary:

Bringing together an international team of experts, The Middle Ages in Modern Culture considers the use of medieval models across a variety of contemporary media - ranging from television and film to architecture - and the significance of deploying an authentic medieval world to these representations. Rooted in this question of authenticity, this interdisciplinary study addresses three connected themes. Firstly, how does historical accuracy relate to authenticity, and whose version of authenticity is accepted? Secondly, how are the middle ages presented in modern media and why do inaccuracies emerge and persist in these works? Thirdly, how do creators of modern content attempt to produce authentic medieval environments, and what are the benefits and pitfalls of accurate portrayals? The result is nuanced study of medieval culture which sheds new light on the use (and misuse) of medieval history in modern media.

Contents:

Introduction: Accuracy and Authenticity, Karl Alvestad (University of South-Eastern Norway, Norway) and Robert Houghton (University of Winchester, UK)

Part I. Defining and Claiming Accuracy and Authenticity

1. 'History is Our Playground': Accuracy, Authenticity and Historical Media, Andrew Elliot (University of Lincoln, UK)

2. The 'Accurate' Deeds of our Fathers: The Changing Narrative of the Foundation of Norway, Karl Alvestad (University of South-Eastern Norway, Norway)

3. Medieval Objects in Modern Buildings: Medievalism, Family Identities and Critical Heritage Studies, Linsey Hunter (University of the Highlands and Islands, UK)

4. Where do the 'White Middle Ages' Come From? Helen Young (University of Sydney, Australia)

5. Modding History: Games Culture and the Constitution of the Authentic/Accurate, Adam Chapman (University of Gothenburg, Sweden)

Part II. Exploring and Perpetuating (In)Accuracy and (In)Authenticity

6. Symbol or Falsehood? The Evolution of the Image of Wallace's Two-Handed Sword, Laura Harrison (University of Edinburgh, UK)

7. Authenticity and the Depiction of Medieval Medicine and Science in Modern Film and Television, April Harper (SUNY Oneonta, USA)

8. Audience Receptions of the Medieval on the Small and Silver Screen, Sian Beavers (Open University, UK)

9. ''Tis But a Scratch': Medieval Martial Arts in Modern Media, Jacob Deacon (University of Leeds, UK)

10. Absent Mothers: The Feminized 'Dark Ages' in Modern Board and Card Game Cultures, Daisy Black (University of Wolverhampton, UK)

Part III. Creating Accuracy and Authenticity

11. The Tourist Gaze the 'Medieval' Landscape, Megan Arnott (Western Michigan University, USA)

12. Playing at the Crossroads of Religion and Law: Historical Milieu and Context in 'Lost & Found', Owen Gottleib (Rochester Institute of Technology, USA)

13. Playing Modding for 'Realism' and 'Accuracy' in Skyrim, Victoria Cooper (University of Leeds, UK)

14. Playing the Taskscapes: Representing Medieval Life through Video Games Technologies, Juan Hiriart (Salford University, UK).

15. If You're Going to be the King, You'd Better Damn Well Act Like the King: Setting Objectives to Encourage 'Realistic' Play in Grand Strategy Computer Games, Robert Houghton (University of Winchester, UK)

Part IV. Conclusion Beyond Accuracy and Authenticity, Karl Alvestad (University of South-Eastern Norway, Norway) and Robert Houghton (University of Winchester, UK)

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

CC BY-NC-ND

OCLC:

1238133391