Medieval Life

Describes the social and economic structure of country life during the late Middle Ages, 1100 through 1400, and the role of the peasants, villagers, and landowners in the shaping of European civilization.

This fact-filled book focuses on the Middle Ages of Europe--the era of great castles, the crusades, ocean travel and invention. Each page features richly detailed artwork which gives clear and accurate representations of the tools, weapons, clothing, and other artifacts of everyday life in the Middle Ages.

A brisk narrative of battles and plagues, monastic orders, heroic women, and knights-errant, barbaric tortures and tender romance, intrigue, scandals, and conquest, The Middle Ages: An Illustrated History mixes a spirited and entertaining writing style with exquisite, thorough scholarship. Barbara A. Hanawalt, a renowned medievalist, launches her story with the often violent amalgamation of Roman, Christian, and Germanic cultures following the destruction and pillaging of the crown jewel of the Roman Empire, the great city of Rome.