I like to consider myself as having a passing interest in history, particularly that of Roman to medieval periods. I have recently picked up a book by Hatcher that purports to give a 'window into medieval' life. In his book he creates a character named Master John who is the spiritual leader of the town named Walsham.
Using this literary construct Hatcher attempts to provide a new view of the 1345-1350 plague, that is the view common folk or peasants might have about the black death. From my understanding of writings by historians, they tend to shy away from creating events or linking unconnect sources together. Hatchers methodological approach may be considered novel.
Does this new way of approaching historical chronicles sit well with you?
Does the use of a wide range of sources, often unconnected by time and space as well as that of culture sit well with you?
Hatcher makes the case for taking back history from novelist and movie makers by changinh how history is written about. Do you think that his approach to this problem is successful?
What do you see as a shortcoming to the docudrama approach of Hatchers book?
I have linked below a presentation by J. Hatcher as well as a link to his book. So far I have found it an interesting read but I find myself asking what is historical and what is a literary device. Although I have lingering doubts about his work, I would still recommend it as a fascinating book to read.
[The Black Death: The Intimate Story of a Village in Crisis 1345-1350](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2787842-the-black-death