Historian Michel Balard wins award for unpublished book

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Since 2007, the City of Provins (Seine-et-Marne) rewards a literary work, linked to the medieval period, through the Provins Middle Ages prize.

For the 2024 edition, it is Michel BalardFrench historian, who will be awarded the prize, the Saturday September 14, 2024 at 5 p.m., at Saint-Ayoul prioryfor his book History of spices in the Middle Ages.

Explorations, trade and discoveries closely linked to spices

Michel Balard offers it a new look on medieval history through that of spices. A journey retracing theexoticismTHE benefits and the customs attributed to spices. Indeed, as Michel Balard describes: “spices are the engine of history”.

Behind the multiple flavors that they offer, these have allowed l’exploration and the commerce on new lands. “In the name of spices, new sea routes and of new continental places were found,” the historian continues. In keeping with this thirst for quest and of discoveriesthe merchant navy and medieval nautical science were revolutionized.

The book is divided into main sections: consumption of spices according to social classes, medicinal use spices and the use of spices in craftspour dye clothes or create the painting for example. The historical essay concludes with a nomenclature of spices in alphabetical order, with their originstheir nomstheir stories and their uses.

An award-winning historian

Michel Balard has always been passionate about history. He began his studies at the École Pratique des Hautes Études, then became a member of the french school of rome for three years, where he worked in the archives.

He thus supports his doctoral thesis on Genoese Romaniaparticularly in the medieval Orient, which became “his life’s passion.” They intensified his research into international trade, but also political and cultural institutions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Central Asia and China.

Michel Balard quickly became recognized for his rich and precise research in the medieval universe. He became lecturer at the Panthéon Sorbonne University of Paris 1until his retirement. He is also professor at the University of Reims for more than ten years. At the same time, he chaired the society of medieval historians of public higher education, until 1995.

Alongside this life immersed in historical stories, Michel Balard is very involved in the municipal life of the town where he was born and where he lives: Sucy-en-Brie (Val-de-Marne). In fact, from 1989 to 2014, the historian was the deputy mayor for culture of the city. Nearly 25 years of organization and transmission of knowledge and culture to all residents.

This is not the first time that the historian has received an award for his work. He has already received it twice le prix Schlumberger. Michel Balard intends to continue his investigative work on the history of sourdough trade in the Middle Ages this time.

Michel Balard will receive the Provins Moyen Age prize for his essay History of spices in the Middle Ages Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 5 p.m., at the Saint-Ayoul priory in Provins.

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