Medieval/darks ages suggestions please

[TheOneWithTheNameChange]

I'd like to read a good book about this era, either focused on culture or a kind chronological (character led) overview of the period. I love novels about this period, but would like to have a better understanding of the time from a factual perspective

Any suggestions gratefully received!

[TheOneWithTheNameChange]

Dark not darks... Sorry

[Itsjustafleshwound]

Ian Mortimer - the time traveller's guide to Medieval England.

Sounds boring, but is easy, informative guide that covers everything ..

[JustinMumsnot]

What have you read? Elizabeth Chadwick's more recent titles are excellent (Scarlet Lion, To Defy a King) and also anything by Sharon Penman. But a great and very readable non-fiction overview of the period is The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England by Ian Mortimer.

[saycheeeeeese]

Karen Maitland, brilliant!

[JustinMumsnot]

I see I'm not the only one to like Mortimer!
The classic book about medieval Europe is Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror which gives a more European perspective.

[TheOneWithTheNameChange]

Brilliant. Thank you!

[NicknameTaken]

AD500 by Simon Young - very funny and eye-opening.

[CMOTDibbler]

I've really enjoyed the Sister Fidelma books by Peter Tremayne

[KatherineKrupnik]

The Black Death by John hatcher is quite good.

[Pinkbatrobi]

If you haven't read it yet, Katherine, by Anya Seton. A classic fictionalised but based on real documents and facts. I loved it!!!

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0340839880/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1360664731&sr=8-1&pi=SL75&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[lilacrose]

Letters of the Queens of England 1100-1547 by Anne Crawford