It's not exactly for writing (more for GMing a P&P RPG), but I figured it'd be ok to post here because it is just as applicable. I'm trying to learn about various cultures during the time period mentioned (Later Medieval to Renaissance, around 1000AD to 1500AD) and I'm looking for books to help me do so. So far, I've read 'Life in a Medieval Village' and 'Life in a Medieval City', and I plan to get 'Life in a Medieval Castle' (all three books by Joseph and Frances Gies). Those three seem to cover parts of Europe rather well, but I'd like more info of a simmilar type to get a more complete picture of Europe in that time period, and I'd also like to learn about Asian cultures, African cultures, and cultures of the middle east from the time period mentioned. I need information on everybody from the peasant(or equiv) to the kings(or equiv) to help me design a world for the P&P. If you have any suggestions on reading material, please mention which part of that time period it covers and which cultures (or area of the world). [Edited by - Extrarius on February 13, 2005 3:43:23 AM]

www.arador.com is a great website to find more leads to what your looking for. They deal mostly in the armour of any era really, and some weapons. Life style also comes up now and then.