I read this book way back in 1989, not long after it was first released. That was over a decade ago and I _still_ remember how vivid and brilliant the writing was. The value of the information for those of us looking for history about the women who lived in the 'Dark Ages' is unequaled. An amazing book. Brava to the author.

Simon de Montfort, earl of Leicester and the most powerful nobleman in the kingdom, married Eleanor, sister of Henry III and a formidable woman in her own right. Countess Eleanor, an efficient chattelaine, kept a roll or ledger of household affairs and accounts during 1265 (when she was managing Dover Castle after her husband's death at the battle of Evesham). Even given her special station, Eleanor's surroundings and duties were typical of the upper class of her time and Labarge illuminates and interprets the details of these daily records, to which she adds infor-mation on etiquette and protocol, medical practices, and domestic management to present the conditions and attitudes that underlie the bare facts. A interesting "flesh on the bones" book.