New scholarly book series from Medieval Institute Publications:

Ludic Cultures treats medieval and early modern play in all its innumerable eccentricities, from toys and games to dramatic performances, courtly intrigues, and the like. Inspired by the broad definition first advanced by Johan Huizinga, but mindful of the constraints later proposed by Roger Caillois and Bernard Suits, this series publishes monographs and essay collections that address play as a complex phenomenon governed by a distinctly lusory attitude, but potentially expressing in virtually any facet of life. In this respect, the series promotes the documentation of cultural practices that have thus far eluded traditional disciplinary models. Our goal is to make visible modes of thought and action that until recently seemed impossible to trace, while contributing to a growing interest in playfulness both past and present.

Geographical Scope: Western Europe and the Americas
Chronological Scope: 1100-1700

Proposals Welcome
The series welcomes the submission of both monographs and essay collections that view cultures in Europe and the Americas between 1100 and 1700 through the lens of play.

Further Information
For questions or to submit a proposal, please contact the Acquisitions Editor, Erika Gaffney (Erika.Gaffney@arc-humanities.org), or visit our website: www.mip-archumanitiespress.org/series/mip/ludic-cultures.

For more information, please download the Ludic Cultures 1100-1700 flyer.