On 30 March 1282, as the bells of Palermo were ringing for Vespers, the Sicilian townsfolk, crying 'Death to the French', slaughtered the garrison and administration of their Angevin King. Seen in historical perspective it was not an especially big massacre: the revolt of the long-subjugated Sicilians might seem just another resistance movement. But the events of 1282 came at a crucial moment. Steven Runciman takes the Vespers as the climax of a great narrative sweep covering the whole of the Mediterranean in the thirteenth century. His sustained narrative power is displayed here with concentrated brilliance in the rise and fall of this fascinating episode. This is also an excellent guide to the historical background to Dante's Divine Comedy, forming almost a Who's Who of the political figures in it, and providing insight into their placement in Hell, Paradise or Purgatory.
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'History in the grand manner, though always with a light touch.' The Observer
'Runciman wrote with wonderful eloquence, but he never overwrote. His narrative flows uncluttered by needless reference notes - there are some, but they nearly all refer to primary sources. His is the supreme example of a well-stocked mind not needing to show off all his wares, nor does he empede the central story by tedious allusion to secondary sources.' Daily Telegraph
'Runciman wrote with wonderful eloquence, but he never overwrote. His narrative flows uncluttered by needless reference notes - there are some, but they nearly all refer to primary sources. His is the supreme example of a well-stocked mind not needing to show off all his wares, nor does he empede the central story by tedious allusion to secondary sources.' Daily Telegraph
Book Description
On 30 March 1282, as the bells of Palermo were ringing for Vespers, the Sicilian townsfolk slaughtered the garrison and administration of their Angevin King. Steven Runciman takes the Vespers as the climax of a great narrative sweep covering the whole of the Mediterranean in the thirteenth century. His sustained narrative power is displayed here with concentrated brilliance in the rise and fall of this fascinating episode.
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On a January day early in 1251 a messenger came to Lyons, where Pope Innocent IV was living in exile from Rome. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
On a January day early in 1251 a messenger came to Lyons, where Pope Innocent IV was living in exile from Rome. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By "michas"
Format:Paperback
Steven Runciman's Sicilian Vespers, is one of his most entertaining books. The descriptions, the characters, the text flow in general, is so natural and vivid, that makes it impossible to stop reading before the end of the book. Focusing on the ages between 12th and 14th century, the book gives us a sound image of the complex political and diplomatic intrigues of medieval Europe, historically accurate and in Runciman's unique style. It is highly recommended for all readers.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By buddingpasha
Format:Paperback
I don't really go for books like this but this was really the only book I thought I could easily find on the Scillian revolt against Charles on Anjou. What it actually turned out to be was a history of the Western Mediterranean, including great personalities of the era such as Manfred, Charles of Anjou, St Louis,Barbarossa, Frederick II Hoenstaufen and the tragic Conradin. I should have expected this considering Sicilly's inexorable links with its neighbours. Overall it was lengthy but readable. I have given it four stars but to be honest thats probably because I don't know who else covers the same ground in such depth. Recommended
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The 'Sicilian Vespers', the famous uprising in Palermo against the rule of Charles of Anjou, is merely the centrepoint of the work. As the subtitle says, this is far more sweeping in its content, covering Europe in the second half of the thirteenth century and the complexities of European politics of the time. Both well researched and well written, it's of the same high standard as all of Sir Steven Runciman's works, and is regarded as a classic of history writing.
By Robi
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is still the definitive work on this period of Mediterranean history. The author's erudition and humour leap off every page and one finds one's knowledge of Spanish, Italian and Byzantine history increased as if by osmosys. A fabulous tapestry of a fascinating world.
Format:Paperback
Well researched, very interesting, very well written. He is always a good value read on periods of history that interest me.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A study of Sicily in the 12th and 13th century, when the island was at the center of Mediterranean (and European) politics. Very entertaining, the best book on the subject.
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