One of the things I'm trying to do is show the difference between the epic legend that grows up and is told in stories and the actual experience of the ordinary people involved.
Pilgrimage is a good example. We have our own preconceptions of what Pilgrims were and the harsh treks that were involved, but from first hand medieval reports it seems to have been more 18-30 holiday than religious trial. A young woman, pregnant outside of marriage was said to be 'on pilgrimage'. I think that language usage, combined with, say, Chaucer's tales give us a pretty clear idea of what went on.
In a lot of the books I've read, where the eminent archaeologist rattles on about strong community leaders bringing all the people together for a great spiritual effort to create the rampart / henge / mound what-have-you, I always think 'bollocks'. It's people. Our motivations are almost always sex and beer.
IRON is ©2015 Jonathan Wyke
