Where to go to do research on pre-modern society?

[Spectrum]

Hello.

I am writing a dark fantasy story. Parts of it is set in a world resembling Medieval Europe. I am interested in doing some research on this period (as well as other periods and locales that might provide inspiration) so as to not make blundering mistakes about how things such as politics, wars, sieges and sword fights actually work.

I have just read the essay On Thud and Blunder by Poul Anderson, which is very useful and covers many common cases of Not Doing the Research in fantasy fiction. Other than that I have read Helen Nicholson's book Medieval warfare : theory and practice of war in Europe, 300-1500, which was also quite useful.

And now that I am at it, I can heartily recommend the whole category of "Did Not Do the Research" on the TV Tropes Wiki to anyone who cares about this.

Does anyone know some good books or online resources on this subject you can recommend?

Thanks in advance.

[David Gullen]

It really depends what aspects you are interested in. R. Ewart OAkeshott's 'Archaeology of Weapons' is definitive for the evolution of swords from bronze age to late medieval. Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror is and excellent comparative history of the 14th century c.f. the modern era.

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by David Gullen

It really depends what aspects you are interested in. R. Ewart OAkeshott's 'Archaeology of Weapons' is definitive for the evolution of swords from bronze age to late medieval. Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror is and excellent comparative history of the 14th century c.f. the modern era.

Thanks. I'll take a look at those.

[Aorrowan]

I found a brilliant collection of links. So extensive, that i got completely sidetracked from writing and spent several days just reading and filling my brain with 97% completely useless information. But there was that other 3%.....

If this link doesn't work, just google "Deb's historical research page." A word of warning though...just make sure you have some spare time before you visit the site...

ETA - ok, apparently i don't have enough posts to submit a link yet. But google it, and enjoy....

[Lith]

Don't link to such interesting stuff. Hours of my life just vanished.

There used to be a link here (I think) to something called: "Care and Feeding of Fictional Horses." I forget the author's name.

In real life, see if you can't find a librarian at a university library to help you with this. Also, pick up a medieval history book and look at the bibliography.

And since you're in Denmark, visit old houses and castles. They're stuffed with information, and you'll really get a feel for the era that books don't give.

[Aorrowan]

Also...if you're looking for information on care and feeding of horses, feel free to ask. I've had them for nearly 20 years and can probably answer most questions...

[jezelf]

was looking for similar stuff myself the other day. Found this lot at Amazon...most of it now on my wish list!

Daily Life in Medieval Europe (The Greenwood Press Daily Life Through History Series)
by Jeffrey L. Singman (Author)
Growing Up in the Middle Ages
by Paul. B. Newman (Author)
Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World: Equipment, Combat Skills and Tactics (Fighting Techniques)
by Matthew Bennett (Author), et al.
Life in a Medieval Village
by Frances Gies (Author), Joseph Gies (Author)
Life in a Medieval Castle
by Joseph Gies (Author), Frances Gies (Author)
Life in a Medieval City
by Joseph Gies (Author), Frances Gies (Author)
Life in Medieval Times
by Marjorie Rowling (Author)
Marriage and the Family in the Middle Ages
by Frances Gies
The Knight in History
by Frances Gies
The Cambridge History of Medieval Political Thought c.350-c.1450 (The Cambridge History of Political Thought)
by J. H. Burns (Paperback - Oct 25, 1991)
A History of Medieval Political Thought: 300-1450
by Joseph Canning


if you read the reviews some folks say that Daily Life in Medieval Europe is a better than the 'Life in...' series, so I'll probably try that one first myself.


might help.

[Aorrowan]

I found "Daily Life in the Middle Ages" at a local library. Fascinating! I had no idea that sort of information was out there. Thanks for the recommends, i will definitely be pursuing the rest of the list...

[ctg]

Check out the Total War series games. The History channel uses the game engine to simulate the warfare and the civilisation. In same time as you research into those history times, you'll learn more about the religion and diplomacy, while the relationships between the village elders grow the marriage parties between the corrupt leaders sitting in their high castles.

[Saeltari]

For horse travel and other such horse info check out The Long Riders' Guild

[Saeltari]

The other thing to check out would be Amazon.com: Travel in the Ancient World: Lionel Casson: Books

That author actually has several that would be very good for helping in a fantasy setting.

[Spectrum]

Interesting things. Thanks.