A History of Mourning

Name: A History of Mourning
Author: Richard Davey

By Richard Davey

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About This Book

The work surveys funeral customs and expressions of bereavement across civilizations, beginning with ancient practices such as mummification, ritual shaving, mourning colours, loud lamentations, and monumental tomb construction. It describes architectural funerary forms and burial chambers, the role of professional mourners, symbolic dress and floral offerings, and the preservation and display of the dead. Illustrated chapters trace changes in materials, ceremonies, and social meanings attached to death, and include evocative anecdotes of extraordinary funerals and posthumous rites to illuminate evolving attitudes toward loss and commemoration.

About the Author

Richard Davey

Richard Davey was a British author and historian known for his works that delve into historical narratives and biographical accounts. His notable book, "A History of Mourning," explores the cultural practices surrounding grief and loss. Davey also contributed to the understanding of Tudor history with titles such as "The Nine Days' Queen, Lady Jane Grey, and Her Times," which examines the life of the young queen and the political turmoil of her era. His writings often reflect a keen interest in the lives of historical figures and the societal contexts in which they lived.