Subtitled: "A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century"

Came across this in a bookstore. 2008 initial publishing date and the author is Ian Mortimer, who is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

A scholarly book for laymen it appears with a fairly laidback approach; e.g. not as dry as the Gies books such as "Life in a Medieval Castle". Centers on the 14th century in England, so it's Romance Period in relation to a KAP campaign.

I found the most useful parts being a broad coverage of the different estates (knights, priests, others) and how this relationship both worked and didn't work. The internal hierarchies each had, and how they inter-related. However, there are also lots of tidbits to be harvested. Foods eaten, medieval humor, descriptions of towns, etc. At a minimum it can help with adding bits of flavorful background.

And, if anything, it could be a good reference to give a player in order to get "in tune" with the knightly mindset.

+1

T.

A scholarly book for laymen it appears with a fairly laidback approach; e.g. not as dry as the Gies books such as "Life in a Medieval Castle". Centers on the 14th century in England, so it's Romance Period in relation to a KAP campaign.



Tournament Period. Romance Period is more 13th century in tone.

But I agree that it's a great book, and I recommend it to everyone here who hasn't already read it.

Among many others, Mortimer also has a book that is a day-by-day account of Henry V's life in the year of Agincourt. It's a unique view of history that's bound to have all sorts of Pendragony goodness, since it's so detailed and pedantic in nature. My wife's read it, and enjoyed it. I'm trying to get to it...

http://amzn.com/1845950976


T.

I would also reccomend this book. I read it this year between runnig Uther and Anarchy.

Lots of fun little facts within and very easy to read. Discussions on lots of minutae like clohing, food etc help with flavour descriptions.

Thank you for this! I just got it and am loving it. Great material!