“A tale is but half told when only one person tells it.”
The Middle Ages were far more than just kings, knights and battles. If you want to dive into the best books about medieval history, there’s a whole world of Middle Ages books that explore the daily lives and routines of peasants, merchants and monks as well as the culture, trade and beliefs that defined this period in history. Whether you’re looking for books on medieval history that cover law and justice, medieval medicine or the role of women, we here at What We Reading are going beyond the warfare to bring the Middle Ages to life. From medieval history books for beginners to in-depth studies on medieval Europe, these nonfiction books about the Middle Ages offer fascinating insights into how people lived, worked and viewed the world. If you’re on a crusade for the best books on medieval society, these recommendations are guaranteed to give you a deeper appreciation of one of history’s most interesting, albeit overlooked, eras.
Daily Life In The Middle Ages – Paul B. Newman
First up on our list of books about medieval history is Paul Newman’s lauded work, Daily Life in the Middle Ages. Instead of focusing on kings, battles or political history, Newman delves into the daily routines, customs and struggles of peasants, townsfolk, clergy and nobility between the 5th and 15th centuries.
The book covers essential aspects of medieval life, including food, clothing, housing, family structure, work and entertainment. Newman also discusses medieval education, law, medicine and religion, showcasing how these shaped everyday experiences. He uses historical records, firsthand accounts and archaeological discoveries to provide an immersive look into the past. What makes the book shine as one of the best Medieval history books is its readable and engaging delivery, making it perfect for beginners and historians alike.
Medieval Craftsmen: Scribes And Illuminators – Christopher De Hamel
Medieval Craftsmen by Christopher De Hamel is a fascinating exploration of the skilled artisans responsible for creating illuminated manuscripts during the Middle Ages. De Hamel delves into the lives of scribes and illuminators, detailing their training, tools, techniques, and the intricate process of manuscript production.
The book explains how medieval books were made by hand, from preparing parchment and mixing pigments to the painstaking work of copying and decorating texts. It also delves into the workshops, patrons, and religious institutions that commissioned these manuscripts, shedding light on the social and economic aspects of the trade. Richly illustrated and highly readable, Scribes and Illuminators provides a behind-the-scenes peek at one of the most beautiful and labour-intensive art forms in the medieval world.
Medieval Women: A Social History Of Women In England 450-1500 – Henrietta Leyser
Henrietta Leyser’s Medieval Women offers a deep and insightful exploration of the roles, experiences and challenges faced by women throughout the Middle Ages. Rather than focusing solely on the queens and noblewomen of the time, Leyser covers a broad range of women from all walks of life, including peasants, musicians, artisans, nuns, merchants and healers.
The book examines various aspects of women’s lives during the Middle Ages, including marriage, work, education, religion and legal rights, showing how their status developed over time. Leyser utilises historical records, letters and literature to reconstruct the realities of being female in Medieval England, debunking myths and shedding light on their resilience and agency. Leyser reveals how women were far more than passive figures in history, instead demonstrating how they were active participants in shaping their world, helping to make this one of the best books about medieval history for anyone interested in social history and gender studies.
The Templars: The Rise And Spectacular Fall Of God’s Holy Warriors – Dan Jones
In The Templars, Dan Jones provides a gripping and meticoulously researched history of the Knights Templar, one of the most legendary and controversial religious military orders in the Middle Ages. Jones traces the Templars’ origins in the twelfth century, when they were founded to protect Christian pilgrims trekking to the Holy Land. He explores their rise to prominence, their immense wealth and influence, and their role in the Crusades, politics and finance.
The book also chronicles their shocking demise in the early fourteenth century, when they were accused of heresy, arrested en masse and, ultimately, disbanded by Pope Clement V under pressure from King Philip IV of France. Written in Jones’ signature fast-paced and engaging style, The Templars separates myth from reality, shedding light on how the Templars became one of the most mysterious and enduring legends of the medieval world.
The Year 1000: When Explorers Connected The World – And Globalization Began – Valerie Hansen
Another one of the most fascinating books about medieval history comes from Valerie Hansen in The Year 1000, a work that challenges the traditional Eurocentric view of medieval history by exploring how global trade and cultural exchange were already thriving long before the Age of Exploration. Hansen takes readers on a tour across the year 1000, showing how merchants, explorers and travellers connected civilisations from Viking Europe and the Islamic world to China, India, and the Americas.
She highlights key historical moments such as Norse voyages to North America, the expansion of Islamic trade networks, and the influence of the Silk Roads. The book argues that globalisation began centuries earlier than many believe as ideas, goods, and people moved across continents. The Year 1000 provides a fresh perspective on medieval history, making it an excellent read for anyone looking to learn more about global trade, cross-cultural exchange, and the interconnectedness of the medieval world.
The Light Ages: The Surprising Story Of Medieval Sciences – Seb Falk
Another one of the best medieval history books for challenging conventional beliefs about the period is Seb Falk’s The Light Ages. In it, Falk challenges the idea that the Middle Ages were an era of intellectual stagnation and instead argues that medieval scholars made remarkable scientific and technological advancements, laying the foundation for later breakthroughs.
The book follows the life of John Westwyk, a fourteenth-century monk, astronomer, and mathematician, using his experiences as a lens into medieval science. Falk delves into astronomy, medicine, navigation and engineering to demonstrate how medieval thinkers built upon Greek, Roman and Islamic knowledge to develop new ideas. He highlights inventions such as the astrolabe, mechanical clocks and advances in medical treatments, proving that medieval science was far more sophisticated than many of us assume.
The Time Traveler’s Guide To Medieval England: A Handbook For Visitors To The Fourteenth Century – Ian Mortimer
The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer offers a captivating, immersive journey through fourteenth-century England, allowing readers to experience the sights, sounds and daily life of the medieval period as though they were living in it. Written in the style of a time-travel guidebook, Mortimer provides a detailed and vivid depiction of what it would be like to step into the past.
The book covers a sweeping array of topics, from food and drink to clothing, architecture and social customs, offering a comprehensive view of medieval life. Mortimer doesn’t just focus on the upper classes but also gives attention to peasants, merchants and artisans, unveiling how different social groups experienced the world. He also touches on law and order, religion and the challenges of surviving in an era marked by disease, warfare and limited technologies. Mortimer’s work is an engaging, accessible introduction to the medieval world and an excellent resource for history enthusiasts and curious readers alike.
She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth – Helen Castor
Helen Castor’s She-Wolves is a fascinating exploration of the powerful and often controversial women who held political power in England before Queen Elizabeth I. Focusing on five exceptional women, Castor examines their struggles for control in a male-dominated society, revealing the complexities of female rulership in medieval and early modern England.
The book centres on Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France, Margaret of Anjou, and Elizabeth Woodville, all of whom were queens, regents and political players in their own right. Castor paints a vivid picture of their ambitions, resilience and cunning, as well as the challenges they faced securing their power and navigating a world full of intrigue and conflict. Another one of the best medieval history books with a female-centric approach, She-Wolves shines a light on women who shaped English politics in a time when women in power were often regarded as threats.
Medieval Medicine: Its Mysteries And Science – Toni Mount
Medieval Medicine by Toni Mount provides an intriguing look into the medical practices of the Middle Ages, unravelling the complicated relationship between superstition, religion and early science. Mount explores how medieval people understood the human body, disease, and healing, utilising a wealth of historical sources to reveal both the sophistication and the limitations of medical knowledge at the time.
The book covers a diverse range of topics, from the role of monks and religious orders in preserving medical texts to the influence of ancient Greek and Roman ideas. Mount also delves into medical treatments, remedies, and the work of medieval physicians, showing how herbal medicine, bloodletting and surgeries were all common practice. Mount also highlights how the Black Death and other plagues influenced the development of medical thought and practices, helping to make this one of the most interesting books about medieval history for anyone interested in historical medicine, the intersection of science and belief, and how early medicine laid the groundwork for modern practices.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
