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Femina by Janina Ramirez

Janina Ramirez's Femina is the perfect blend of medieval European backdrop, modern historical context, and biography. It is effortlessly feminist without intending to be, and is unapologetic about it. Femina uses 'the same facts, figures, events and evidence' we've always had access to, to shift the narrative spotlight towards the historic women who were previously written out or treated as a footnote in traditional narratives.

The book covers key female figures of medieval Britain and Europe, expanding beyond the more thoroughly documented activities of queens to uncover lesser-known individuals of significant cultural influence such as Herrad of Landsberg, a French contemporary of the better-known Catholic visionary Hildegard of Bingen, and Margery Kempe, a British merchant and businesswoman best known for writing The Book of Margery Kempe, believed to be 'the first autobiography written in English'.

Femina is the perfect starting point for readers interested in learning more about pockets of medieval social history through a lens that positions individual stories and achievements within wider societal contexts.

Medieval Medicine: It's Mysteries and Science by Toni Mount

Toni Mount's Medieval Medicine is a fantastic starting point for history enthusiasts eager to deepen their understanding of the foundations of medical knowledge and the religious, political, and legal doctrine that dominates the practice.

Far from the grisly and haphazard practice presented by popular culture, Mount reframes medieval medicine as a journey of knowledge seeking which, for better or worse, was shaped by their experience of the natural world as they understood it at that time; a case of different knowledge than a lack of it.

Medieval Bodies by Jack Hartnell

Jack Hartnell's Medieval Bodies: Life, Death and Art in the Middle Ages explores medieval perceptions of the human body, it's biological processes, miraculous recoveries, and the powerful divine and political symbolism attached to limbs and organs.

Medieval Bodies moves from head to toe in each chapter, honouring each body part in great detail. It expands beyond a prevalent laser focus on Europe, incorporating examples of illuminated manuscripts, maps, technology, jewellery and architectural features from medieval Syria, Persia, and Africa (to name only a few).

For this reason, Jack Hartnell's Medieval Bodies: Life, Death and Art in the Middle Ages is a brilliant amalgamation of beautiful imagery and transcultural analysis highlighting the medieval world as intricately woven and connected than popular narratives have us believe.

Bonus Recommendation:
The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England by Marc Morris

I have included The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England by Marc Morris as a bonus book recommendation for history enthusiasts.

The Anglo-Saxons is the perfect mix of scholarly detail and accessible pacing for the casual reader. Throughout, Marc Morris does not make assumptions of which key historical characters you already know, instead introducing each new figure in relation to those already made familiar before weaving their stories together to create a narrative that reads more like a novel than a historical account.

Morris paints a clear picture of the social, cultural, and political landscape of Britain from the departure of the Romans to the 11th century. His book is, therefore, a great springboard for anyone looking to build upon their current knowledge of early medieval Britain and Europe.

Medieval History Books for Scholarly Enjoyment:

Britain in the Middle Ages: An Archaeological History by Francis Pryor

Of the three books I'd recommend to more learned readers of medieval history, Britain in the Middle Ages: An Archaeological History by Francis Pryor is the most accessible. It offers a comprehensive exploration of archaeological sites shedding light upon medieval social life and culture across the British isles.

Alongside photographs of historic structures, uncovered archaeological remains and illustrations of fascinating finds, the book contains detailed maps, graphs, and charts of settlements, geographical changes (both natural and human), and architectural plans. These visual elements position Britain in the Middle Ages: An Archaeological History by Francis Pryor as a truly thorough yet hospitable text for casual readers of history endeavouring to deepen their knowledge.

With the first chapter covering the Britons, Saxons, and Vikings (650-1066), this book opened the floodgates of scholarly intrigue for me once again: for to understand the medieval period wholeheartedly, I must also understand how it first came to be! Pryor's book inspired me to extend my study of medieval Britain and Europe further back in time (continue reading for my book recommendation on the Anglo-Saxon period).

Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts by Christopher de Hamel

Christopher de Hamel's Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts presents a deep exploration of a small handful of the world's most famous manuscripts. By focussing his attention on just twelve examples, Christopher de Hamel affords considerable space for celebrating the variation and uniqueness of each text.

Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts not only reiterates the artistic and cultural significance of these precious manuscripts, it uncovers the intimate details, the 'when and why and where,' behind their creation. Christopher de Hamel aimed to bestow upon the reader the same innate fascination for medieval manuscripts that he felt when face-to-face with them in the universities and museums where they are carefully stored.

A History of Christianity by Diarmaid MacCulloch

One of the greatest cultural shifts within medieval society was triggered by the introduction of Christianity. It is no surprise, then, that my interest in this historical period naturally flowed into the study of the Christian faith and its history.

Diarmaid MacCulloch's A History of Christianity is, in my humble opinion, completely unrivalled in managing this momentous task. But, for as much as I love MacCulloch's book for its elaborate historical detail, reading it is not for the faint-hearted; it is a dense and hard-earned undertaking if one wishes to read it cover to cover.

A History of Christianity consists of 1184 pages documenting the origins of common religious language, texts, and political unrest in Greece, Rome, Israel, and Palestine from 1000 BCE to the culture wars of modern history.

For the dedicated reader, A History of Christianity is an incredibly rewarding masterpiece of extraordinary literary achievement. As Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury describes, A History of Christianity is a 'landmark in its field, astonishing in its range, compulsively readable, full of insight ... It will have few, if any, rivals in the English language.'