Lexington Books Incarceration and Slavery in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age: A Cultural-Historical Investigation of the Dark Side in the Pre-Modern World (Studies in Medieval Literature)

People in the Middle Ages and the early modern age more often suffered from imprisonment and enslavement than we might have assumed. Incarceration and Slavery in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age approaches these topics from a wide variety of perspectives and demonstrates collectively the great relevance of the issues involved. Both incarceration and slavery were (and continue to be) most painful experiences, and no one was guaranteed exemption from it. High-ranking nobles and royalties were often the victims of imprisonment and, at times, had to wait many years until their ransom was paid. Similarly, slavery existed throughout Christian Europe and in the Arab world. However, while imprisonment occasionally proved to be the catalyst for major writings and creativity, slaves in the Ottoman empire and in Egypt succeeded in rising to the highest position in society (Janissaries, Mamluks, and others). Review At last the medieval dungeon of our fantasies has been given back its existential realities and usefully put into historical perspective, with exciting contributions by over twenty highly accomplished scholars in a richly illustrated and finely edited collection.--Garry Trompf, Emeritus Professor in the History of Ideas, University of SydneyIn this volume are presented eighteen different essays that explore slavery and imprisonment as well as the circumstances that encouraged, condoned or condemned it. These studies, framed by a substantial introduction, consider perspectives from Muslim, Jewish and Christian societies of the late antique through early modern eras. They range from treatments literary to historical, whether of individuals or groups, examining ways in which freedoms were taken away through punishment or misfortune while considering the impacts of gender and class on these losses of liberty. This is a book that, beyond its historical boundaries, resonates with contemporary concerns regarding human freedoms and dignities. It will be of interest to scholars in many disciplines, including literary, economic, religious, social and military historians.--Charlotte Stanford, Brigham Young University About the Author Albrecht Classen is University Distinguished Professor of German studies at the University of Arizona.