A brief, illustrated, overview of the geography, history, customs, beliefs, monuments, day-to-day life, and social structure of Medieval Europe, that flourished for almost five hundred years

Presents, in text and illustrations, a range of people whose way of life reveals various aspects of the society developing in Europe and America from the fifteenth through the eighteenth centuries.

Reveals facts about the myths about the Middle Ages, including if castles had bathrooms, if medieval barbers were also dentists, and if medieval peasants were considered slaves.

Examines various aspects of life during the Middle Ages, including the feudal system, knights and chivalry, life in a castle, and battle during medieval times.

"During Medieval times, medical practice included bloodletting, leeching, and sometimes sawing off a hand or foot. Those must have been awful jobs! But the poor physicians didn't have it as bad as dung farmers or smelly fullers. Readers will discover the many terrible tasks that needed to be done, all while learning the social and political structure of Medieval Europe. Sidebars and historical images add even more detail for readers to enjoy--horrible...

More than 100 illustrated crafts, projects, and games help recreate the culture and world of the Middle Ages, when books were handmade and read by candlelight, sundials told the hour, and going barefoot was illegal.