I'm a writer who loves drawing inspiration from real life, and I'm trying to brush up a bit on my British and Irish history. Any recommendations for good books on events prior to the 1700s or thereabouts? Especially interested in the Middle Ages. I really appreciate your help.
Is there anything more specific you want to learn about? A particular king? War? Government? Recreation? Folklore? I certainly could toss out a few favorites randomly, particularly on medieval England, but if there was something more specific in your interests than everything in around a thousand years of history from the departure of Rome from Britain until the Renaissance it would help a lot.