Medieval Narratives

Medieval Narratives Pathfinder

The following PMS Library resources will provide information on what life was like in the Middle Ages:

Reference Room

General print encyclopedias:
- World Book (Search Middle Ages, use outline to find People; also look up villein, castle, knighthood, etc.)
Specialized encyclopedias:
- The Middle Ages R/940.1
- Medieval World R/940.1
- Encyclopedia of Hair R/391.5
- Medicine: An Illustrated History R/610

Library Catalog (OPAC): Includes books, digital formats, and websites. Use these Subject Headings:

Main Library: Browse 940.1 (European Middle Ages)

Subscription Databases:

Britannica Online – encyclopedia – Search “Middle Ages” and use the table of contents to scroll to a useful section.
Sirs Discoverer– Search “Middle Ages,” use “Control F” to find your topic (i.e. “knight” “lady”…) within the article.
ABC Clio: World History: Advanced Search: Check “reference articles” and “Medieval Europe.” Search: “daily life” or “serf” or “guild.” Try to stay away from “historical” articles with dates and facts; we are looking for interesting details about the DAILY LIFE of these medieval individuals.
EBSCOHost(especially Calliope Magazine – search “Middle Ages AND Calliope)

Destiny Discover eBooks (click images for hotlinks):

Websites

Regia Anglorum’s articles page (Scroll down and select Village and Villagers to see different townspeople and their occupations.)

Middle Ages for Kids (easier reading) – select specific topics from the Overview, Knights and Castles, Culture and Major Events sections.

Castles of Wales (incredible wealth of resources including pictures of castles, maps, historical information)

Castles on the Web (provides links to many castle sites)

Glossary of Castle Terms (definitions of words related to castles)

Heraldry on the Internet (provides links for coat of arms, medieval resources, castles, maps, order of chivalry,etc.)

Wichamstow(a virtual tour of the fictional medieval estate with maps, interviews of villagers, medieval culture)

Medieval Siege (Nova’s Secrets of Lost Empires series)

Updated 9/6/22