{"title":"Kathryn L. Smithies","description":"\u003cp\u003eKathryn L. Smithies is a distinguished author with a passion for uncovering the lesser-known aspects of history. Her expertise lies in delving into the quirky and fascinating details that often go unnoticed. Her work is perfect for readers who enjoy exploring the unconventional sides of historical narratives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne notable work by Kathryn L. Smithies is \u003cem\u003eIntroducing the Medieval Ass\u003c\/em\u003e. In this intriguing book, she provides a unique perspective on the medieval period through the lens of the oft-overlooked donkey—a creature that played a vital role in historical societies. Smithies skillfully combines wit and scholarly research to present a fresh take on medieval history, making it both enjoyable and enlightening for history enthusiasts and casual readers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are captivated by history and military, and curious about the unexpected tales of the past, Kathryn L. Smithies’ books are a must-read. Explore her collection to discover a refreshing approach to history that is both educational and entertaining.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"introducing-the-medieval-ass-by-kathryn-l-smithies-9781786836229","title":"Introducing the Medieval Ass","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIntroducing the Medieval Ass\u003c\/em\u003e presents a lucid, accessible, and comprehensive picture of the enormous socioeconomic and cultural significance of the ass, or donkey, in the Middle Ages and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn medieval times, the ass was a vital, utilitarian beast of burden, rather like ubiquitous white delivery vans today. At the same time, however, the ass had a rich, paradoxical reputation. Its hard work was praised, but its obstinacy condemned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt exemplified the good Christian, humbly bearing Christ to Jerusalem, but also represented sloth, a mortal sin. It had a potent sexual reputation—in one literary work, an ass had sex with a woman—even as it was simultaneously linked to sterility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, the ass also became synonymous with human idiocy, a comic figure representing foolish peasants, students too dull to learn, and their asinine teachers. This trope of foolishness was so prevalent that by the eighteenth century the word \"ass\" began to be replaced by \"donkey.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIntroducing the Medieval Ass\u003c\/em\u003e offers a wide-ranging account of the importance, and often surprising cultural prevalence, of this common domesticated animal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000651202796,"sku":"9781786836229","price":42.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/4891333482824.jpg?v=1763293768"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/kathryn-l-smithies.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}