Life in a Medieval City

"Some particular books I found useful for A Game of Thrones and its sequels deserve mention... Life in a Medieval Castle and Life in a Medieval City, both by Joseph and Frances Gies." —George R.R. Martin, author of the series A Song of Ice and Fire

Medieval history comes alive in Frances and Joseph Gies’s Life in a Medieval City, used as a research resource by George R. R. Martin in creating the world of Game of Thrones.

Reissued for the first time in decades, Life in a Medieval City is the classic account of the year 1250 in the city of Troyes, in modern-day France. This immersive work of social history focuses on a high point of medieval civilization—before war and the Black Death ravaged Europe—providing a fascinating window into the sophistication of a period we too often dismiss as backward.

Urban life in the Middle Ages revolved around the home, often a mixed-use dwelling for burghers with a store or workshop on the ground floor and living quarters upstairs. A developed economy, focusing on textiles, farming, and financial services, could be found in the town center, where craftsmen competed for business while adhering to the medieval guilds’ codes of conduct. There were schools for the children, though only boys could attend and the lessons were taught in Latin by a priest. The church was a hub of both religious and civic life; services were lively and filled with song, and baptisms and other special occasions brought neighbors together to celebrate. The weddings of wealthier townsfolk were lavish affairs full of song and dance and drinking that could sometimes last for weeks.

"An excellently written account of what is known of the life of medieval burghers."—Library Journal

This essential work of European history explores the vibrant reality of the 13th century:

• Daily Life in the Middle Ages: Step inside a burgher’s home in 1250s Troyes, from the ground-floor workshop to the family’s living quarters, and discover what they ate, wore, and did for entertainment.
• A Thriving Medieval Economy: Explore the bustling town center, where textile craftsmen, financial services, and powerful guilds created a sophisticated urban economy long before the Black Death.
• Civic and Religious Life: Learn how the church served as the hub for the community, hosting lively services, lavish weddings that could last for weeks, and schools for the city’s boys.
• Meticulous Historical Research: Discover the classic resource used by George R. R. Martin to build the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, praised for its well-written and deeply informative account of the period.