Medieval Glass for Popes, Princes, and Peasants

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By David Whitehouse, with contributions by William Gudenrath and Karl Hans Wedepohl For many of us, the words "medieval glass" are synonymous with the extraordinary stained glass windows that transform the interiors of so many European churches of the late Middle Ages. This book, like the exhibition, has a different focus. It is a selective introduction to medieval glass vessels, made in the course of more than 1,000 years, that were intended for use and display: for eating and drinking, lighting, worship, science, and medicine. The book examines the history of medieval glass vessels, explores how some of them were made, and explains how, by determining the composition of glass, the chemist makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of developments in glassmaking in the Middle Ages.