Michael Prestwich Book order

Experience life as a medieval knight in this hilarious graphic novel based on a real chivalric manual.

From Genghis Khan to Giotto, Marco Polo to Joan of Arc, Avicenna to Dante, this panorama of the medieval world features a cast of some of the most compelling personalities in history, whose lives capture the pivotal moments and essential ideas of the Middle Ages. These extraordinary people, whether seeking power and influence or justice and salvation, made their mark at every level of society, from the rulers of Christian and Muslim kingdoms to the leaders of peasant uprisings.In sixty-nine succinct biographies, Michael Prestwich takes us on a tour of the medieval world, journeying from Salisbury to Samarkand and encompassing the most significant figures in art, architecture, politics, religion, philosophy and science. The 700 years of history covered in this book saw astounding advances against a turbulent backdrop of plagues and crusades. Featuring warriors and saints, innovators and explorers, queens and nuns, pirates and poets, this is an enthralling overview of the people who made the Middle Ages.

An insider's guide: Become a Knight. Wield a sword. Join a crusade. Make your fortune.

The conflict that swept over France from 1337 to 1453 remains the longest military struggle in history.

A rich and revelatory exploration of the medieval world, conveyed through intimate biographies by a renowned historian This engrossing, exquisitely illustrated, often witty account tells the life stories of some seventy individuals who "made" the Middle Ages. There are kings and queens, popes and politicians, soldiers and merchants, scholars, authors and visionaries. They range from the important, such as El Cid or Frederick Barbarossa, to the little known, such as the dissolute Venetian nun Clara Sanuto. Some were astonishingly successful: the empire created by Chinggis Khan was one of the most extensive ever seen. Some, such as Charles the Bold, the over-ambitious 15th–century duke of Burgundy, were failures. Contrary to modern myth, medieval people did not believe the earth was flat; torture was far less common than in later centuries; and technological advances included guns, printing, blast furnaces, spectacles, stirrups and the compass. Full of insights such as these, this book shows how medieval people lived in an era that was more one of invention and innovation than of superstition and backwardness. It will appeal to all those who want a truer picture of a world often erroneously portrayed by bestselling novelists of today.

An insider’s guide: how to become a knight, wield a sword, join a Crusade, and make your fortune. The knight is the supreme warrior of the Middle Ages. Fully armored and mounted on a magnificent charger, he seems invincible. Honor and glory await him as, guided by the chivalric code, he fights with lance and sword. This carefully researched yet entertaining book provides all the essential information you need to become a successful knight in the later Middle Ages, during the period of the Hundred Years’ War. Should you go on a Crusade? Which order of chivalry might you consider joining? What is required when you go through the ceremony of knighthood? Here are the answers to these and many more questions plus practical advice on topics such as equipment, fighting methods, and the conventions of warfare. But the knightly life is not all battles and sieges: there are also tournaments and jousts to enjoy and the world of courtly love. Based on contemporary lives and descriptions, this book—written by a leading medieval historian—paints a vivid picture of what it was like to be a medieval knight.

The book explores a transformative era in Britain from 1225 to 1360, highlighting significant events such as Simon de Montfort's rebellion, the downfall of Edward II, and the impact of the Black Death. It examines the emergence of parliament as a crucial development in the state's evolution, alongside detailed insights into the political, economic, and social dynamics of the time. Michael Prestwich offers a thorough analysis that captures the complexities and pivotal moments that shaped medieval Britain.

Focusing on a pivotal historical period, the book provides an engaging exploration of the reigns of three distinct monarchs, highlighting their unique contributions and challenges. It serves as a valuable resource for students and enthusiasts of medieval history, offering insights into the political, social, and cultural dynamics of the time. Through detailed narratives, readers gain a deeper understanding of how these rulers shaped their kingdoms and influenced the course of history.

This study of Edward I, first published in 1988, is an account of one of the leading monarchs of the Middle Ages. Examining manuscript sources, the book reveals a capable monarch who pioneered legal and parliamentary change, conquered Wales and came close to conquering Scotland.