The dark ages [500-1500A.D]
Historians of Reddit, what are some good reading resources for the dark ages?
Intent: Curiosity, accurate writing reference for non-fiction writing during those times, seeking facts and better visualization/understanding of basic way of life & living standards
Direct interests:
architecture [What buildings were made of and the comparison between castles and commoners house/living situation]
Odd facts. [What were beds made of? How did their sewage system work once underground? How did a wooden tub hold water? Did women use the same sponge stick to wipe their- yeah. Sounds like a UTI đ¤Ł]
Common misconceptions [Such as them being unclean/not washing themselves, commoners hunting for food when it was a rich manâs sport]
How their monarchy worked/was broken into for separate jobs
Aaaaand quick explanation to further narrow:
I lean towards wanting to learn about general aesthetic when the word âmidevilâ pops up. Only an accurate one compared to fiction. Castles/kings/knights/templars/peasants/commoners in-town/within âkingdom wallsâ if thatâs even a accurate term.
I've previously provided some recommendations for reading about "Daily Life", which should provide you with a good starting point. There's also our Books and Resources list, which can provide you with many more useful books that include political and cultural information. If you have any specific period, region or theme you're interested in, it may be possible to recommend some more specific works.