Life in medieval Europe

The Catholic Church lay at the heart of medieval society. Readers will learn about the pious life of monks and nuns, the great cathedrals which served as centers of worship, and the spread of Christianity across Europe.

Castles are perhaps the greatest symbol of the Middle Ages. But what was life like inside these mighty fortresses? This book examines the rise of castles as the center of noble life and provides information on the men, women, and children who lived within the castle walls.

Read about the rise of many of medieval Europe's greatest cities, from the canals of Venice to the crowded streets of London. Learn how these cities were founded, how they were governed, the trade they spurred, and what everyday life was like for a city's people.

The Middle Ages saw the rise of feudalism in the European countryside, when most people spent their lives working the land to feed the growing population across the continent. Read about how peasants lived and worked in the medieval village.