Frances Gies Book order

The evolution of the family unit during the Medieval period is explored in this engaging account by bestselling historians Frances and Joseph Gies. Their clear and accessible writing delves into the social dynamics and structures of families, providing a fresh perspective on everyday life in medieval times. This reissue brings new insights into the historical context and significance of family roles, making it a valuable resource for those interested in medieval history.

A magisterial history of the origins, reality, and legend of the knight “A carefully researched, concise, readable, and entertaining account of an institution that remains a part of the Western imagination.” — Los Angeles Times Born out of the chaos of the early Middle Ages, the armored and highly mobile knight revolutionized warfare and quickly became a mythic figure in history. From the Knights Templars and English knighthood to the crusades and chivalry,  The Knight in History , by acclaimed medievalist Frances Gies, bestselling coauthor of  Life in a Medieval Castle , paints a remarkable true picture of knighthood—exploring the knight’s earliest appearance as an agent of lawless violence, his reemergence as a dynamic social entity, his eventual disappearance from the European stage, and his transformation into Western culture’s most iconic hero.

Focusing on Chepstow, an English castle that survived the turbulent Middle Ages with a relative lack of violence, the book offers an exquisite portrait of what day-to-day life was actually like during the era, and of the key role the castle played. The Gieses take us through the full cycle of a medieval year, dictated by the rhythms of the harvest. We learn what lords and serfs alike would have worn, eaten, and done for leisure, and of the outside threats the castle always hoped to keep at bay.For medieval buffs and anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating era, Life in a Medieval Castle is as timely today as when it was first published.