Shtakser reviewed Communities of Violence by David Nirenberg
Review of 'Communities of Violence' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
The author assumes that violence against persecuted minorities in Medieval Europe was neither random nor irrational. He attempts to understand the language of popular violence, concentrating on 14th century Oregon and on violence against several groups ranging from Muslims and Jews as well as these crossing the lines (these engaged in inter-communal sex as well as these converting to Islam or Judaism) and to lepers. He discovers that violence often had ritualistic properties and as such was limited. He also discovers that violence against ethnic minorities was often directed towards their protector, the king. In fact it was a relatively safe way to attack the king's policies.
Overall, this is an excellent work dealing with violence as a language that should be analyzed as any other text.