I've never understood "Medievalists", who practically worship that time in history. From what I've seen and read, it wasn't such a great time to be alive. Signum University
No, indeed it wasn't. And few people lived to anywhere near my age... But there was damn good money in Latin back then. (Sigh.) Not much call for it nowadays -quod est pietatis. :smile: J.
I'd forgotten about this thread, then I ran into Signum U. this week, by an indirect route. I've been learning Anglo-Saxon for a little while. I believe it's important to know something of all the languages that went into English as we know it, to be an effective writer. That knowledge is indispensable for someone who wishes to teach English - but I'm not that guy. I do believe, however, that it's important to know about the times and culture, in which a language which is no longer spoken flourished. Accordingly, I found "The Anglo Saxon World" on Youtube and have been through all 14 lectures at the rate of one-a-day. The lecturer was Dr. Michael Drout, a professor at a "real" (i.e. accredited) school, Wheaton College, who has also published quite a few recorded lecture series, some of which I believe have been used at Signum U. Signum's curriculum is certainly interesting and if this is any sample, I believe the offerings are good quality. Somehow, I think it will be a difficult go if they seek mainstream accreditation. Accreditors aren't afraid to certify schools that teach conventional degrees plus a couple that are "off the path" - but when all the degrees are in unconventional areas ... https://signumuniversity.org/catalog/intro-to-anglo-saxon/
I don't believe scholars "worship" the Medieval period for its living conditions, Bruce. They know all about plague, no sanitation, war, famine and all the rest. What - I think - gets to them is the amount of learning that went on, the literature, the start of discoveries in science etc. And, of course, you get to study the great number of things that went horribly wrong -- that we can learn from. Yeah - we need that.
And as far as the non-scholars go - the people who like to dress up in medieval costumes, go to "faires" and watch tournaments & jousting - they're harmless. Just out for a good time. Doesn't matter how much they know (or don't) about hard times in the late Middle Ages. Hopefully, they're not going to catch plague or botulism from Henry VIII night at a downtown night-spot. And with astute police officers like your good self, Bruce, there's far less risk of being attacked by brigands, footpads, cutpurses etc. And the washrooms are indoors.
