Daily Medieval Life sources (but fictional)

[WayneLigon]

Kurtz' Deryni books are good for atmosphere; there is not a great deal of magic (one could argue that there is no magic at all, just psionics) and so the descriptions of the court, the church, etc, can be used pretty much anywhere.

Again, check out the mystery section. Plenty of great books set in the period.

 

[nharwell]

Although these aren't fictional books, they are written in more of a "storytelling" mode rather than "encyclopedic." Try Life in a Medieval Village, Life in a Medieval Castle, and Life in a Medieval City by Frances Gies. You can read samples from these books at amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=lib_dp_TFCV/102-6420650-2508942#reader-link

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=lib_dp_TFCV/102-6420650-2508942#reader-link

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=lib_dp_TFCV/102-6420650-2508942#reader-link

 

[Tom Cashel]

Michael Crichton's Timeline is a quick read, and entertaining, and based heavily on those (incredibly good) books by the Gies.

 

[alsih2o]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_2/002-8351730-2562463?v=glance&s=books

"daily life in holland in the year 1566:yada yada yada yada"

great book, full of everyday stuff. great illustrations. dark when it needs to be, humorous when it can be.

 

[yongi]

Pillars of the Earth

Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth focuses on life in 12th C England, cathedral building, political intrigue and more. It's a little long, but very good and definitely worth the read.

It takes a chapter or two to get into (in my experience) but might prove invaluable to you.

-y-