Here is the next chunk of research books I've used to help me write THE TIME OF SINGING.These are the more general ones involving politics and aspects of Medieval life. I've not listed them all, I'd still be here this time next week, but here's a cross-section selection. (try saying that 3 times fast!)
The picture is from The Castle Story by Sheila Sancha. It's a fabulous resource detailing the history of castle building throughout the Middle Ages. I particularly like it for its clear diagrams and reconstruction illustrations which have really helped me get a grasp on how things might have looked. If you click on the picture, it should enlarge to give you a good idea of how Framlingham Castle looked before my hero, Roger Bigod, rebuilt it when he was finally granted the earldom in 1189.
Also for the story of Framlingham Castle, I used a detailed article in Castles Conquests and Charters: The Collected Papers of R.Allen Brown published by Boydell.
English Heritage's guidebook to Framlingham Castle
Norman Stone Castles (1) The British Isles 1066-1216 by Christopher Gravell, illustrated by Adam Hook, Osprey Publishing. Fortress series. Has a good diagram of Framlingham's curtain wall and how it worked in defending the castle
The Building of Orford Castle - a translation from the Pipe rolls 1163 - 78 translation by Valerie Potter.
The Birth of the English Common Law by R.C. Caenegem - Cambridge University Press
English Justice between the Norman Conquest and the Great Charter 1066-1215 by Doris M. Stenton
England Under the Norman and Angevin Kings by Robert Bartlett
The City of London from Prehistoric Times to 1520: edited by Mary Lobel (maps)
Survey of Medieval Winchester vols 1 and 2 by Derek Keane
Old London Bridge Lost and Found by Bruce Watson - Museum of London
England Without Richard 1189-1199 by John. T. Appleby
The Medieval Garden by Sylvia Landsberg
Tournament by David Crouch
Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages: The English Experience by Michael Prestwich
The Sword in the Age of Chivalry by Ewart Oakeshott
Cogs, Caravels and Galleons: The Sailing Ship 1000 - 1650 - Conway's History of the Ship
Sexuality in Medieval Europe: doing unto others by Ruth Mazo Karras
The Plantagenet Empire 1154-1224 by Martin Aurell
Next time, for a finale, I'll post a few pictures from my own gallery of photographs I have used to inform and inspire me.
4 comments:
Elizabeth, in all your medieval research have you found any sources about the medieval hospital that was located at Soutra Isle in Scotland. I believe it was located on the main road from the Borders to Edinburgh during 11th and 12th c. and was absolved after a scandal in 13th or 14th c. I am interested in medieval medicine but can't find any books that speak about this unique hospital.
Hi Jody,
I can't say I've come across this, unless there was something online that I vaguely recall a member of Regia Anglorum posting for general interest, but I don't have an url as it was just a 'by the way' thing. I don't have that much material on the life and times north of the border - sorry!
What a fascinating selection Susan, I want to read them all! I'm particularly interestd in the ones on early London and London Bridge as I used to walk across the modern version everyday when I worked at the Tower. Amid the daily commuter rush I'd transport myself in my head, back to the 12thC and wonder what my route along modern day Upper Thames Street, parallel to the river, would have been like, (noisy and smelly by the wharves I imagined!). They sound a fascniating reads, I might try and get hold of them.
best wishes
Stephx
Elizabeth, this is a nice list. I've written several of them down to check out later. A few of the books that have been valuable in my research are:
- Daily Life in the Middle Ages by Paul B. Newman
- The Medieval Fortress: Castles, Forts and Walled Cities of the Middle Ages by H. W. Kaufmann
- Life in a Medieval Castle, Life in a Medieval City, Life in a Medieval Village, all 3 by Joseph and Francis Gies
- In addition to his book on Norman Stone Castles, Christopher Gravett's book "Medieval Siege Warfare" is also a good resource
- Art of War in the Middle Ages A. D. 378-1515 by C. W. C. Oman
You may already be familar with these. I have dozens more, but I didn't want to take up too much comment space by listing them all. Thanks for sharing your resources. Hope your day is going well.
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