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The World of King Arthur
King Arthur, Camelot, Excalibur, Merlin,
the Holy Grail, Lancelot, and Guinevere
- these names are some of the most
recognizable and evocative in the
cultural heritage of the West. They
conjure up vibrant images of medieval
Europe, of chivalry, and of romance.
But did Arthur really exist, or is Camelot
only a dream? Snyder traces the impact
of Arthur throughout history, surprising
the reader with the vastness of his
contribution to the world's people.
Even the modern concept of romantic
love is ascribed to the evolution of his
legends in Mediaeval Europe. An excellent survey of Arthur and his legacy from ancient Rome to modern Hollywood.

King Arthur : Dark Age Warrior and Mythic Hero
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have captured the world's imagination since medieval times. The tales of King Arthur are rooted in history, but over the years the facts have become shrouded in myth and mystery. Arthurian expert John Matthews explores the legends that have grown around the king and uncovers the mysteries of Arthur's Britain. �Covers Merlin, Guenevere, Lancelot, the Holy Grail, and all the mythic search for characters �Contains 120 color and black-and-white images

The Arthurian Handbook
Everything you ever wanted to know about King Arthur and his knights: It offers both historical facts and key discussions on Arthurian subjects, from post-Roman Britain to the most recent novels and films.

Daily Life in the Middle Ages
Written in a style that is accessible to junior-high-school students and up, this book shows that life during the Middle Ages was neither as dark nor as primitive as novels, movies, or earlier historians have depicted it. In seven long chapters, the author, a lecturer on medieval history, analyzes "Eating and Cooking," "Building and Housing," "Clothing and Dressing," "Cleaning," "Relaxing and Playing," "Fighting," and "Healing." "Clothing and Dressing," for instance, has sections on fabrics, clothing, fashions, and accessories. The section on fashions, has subsections for tunics and doublets, capes and cloaks, and other items of apparel. Black-and-white drawings and photographs.

Life in a Medieval Castle
This book is absolutely the
best place to start if you
want to learn about medieval
castles, how medieval castles
came to be, the roles they
served in medieval society,
how military strategy through
the middle ages centered
around the castle, how their
relevance declined with the
changes in technology and
the political scene that came
with the late medieval period. Gives the reader a very clear picture of what life was like in and around the castle, from the nobility through to the staff needed to keep the castle running to the villagers at the bottom. It shows the various functions the castle staff needed to serve to keep things running smoothly, from chamberlains, chaplains, seneschals and stewards down to pantlers, haywards and reeves. Historical anecdotes used to show aspect of castle life, from the manner in which meals were served to the ways provisions were acquired in an era where money was by no means a common exchange, and how matters of jurisdiction often overlapped in problematic ways (a lord might have jurisdiction over a castle but not over the forest surrounding it which belonged to the king). This is not what I would call the definitive text on all aspects of castle lore, but it is probably the single best place to start to get a clear and detailed education on, as the title indicates, "life in a medieval castle."

more reading on Castles here
more reading on medieval knights here

Medieval Celebrations: How to Plan Weddings, and Reenactments With Recipes, Customs, Costumes, Decorations, Songs, Dances, and Games
Detailed steps for re-creating an accurate medieval celebration Including ideas for activities at Christmas, Easter, weddings, and parties. - Music for a Medieval Banquet

Medieval Furniture: Plans and Instructions for Historical Reproductions
14 more designs for historic pieces from the Middle Ages - a game board, tax box, writing slope, church pew, hewn-timber chest, library shelves, half-tester bed, ambry, wheelbarrow, coffer, work table, cathedral cabon, Spanish settle, and barrel chair. The detailed plans are based on careful study and measurement of accurate reproductions or originals from European museums. Step-by-step instructions, materials lists, and notes on woodworking, metalworking, carving, and finishes provide the means for creating history in the home workshop. A brief survey of medieval decorating and a directory of sources complete this authoritative book.

Fantasy and Medieval Mosaics for the Scroll Saw : 33 Patterns for Castles, Dragons, Knights, Unicorns and More
Medieval castles, armored knights, dragons, and crests scroll saw projects included in this pattern-filled book. Involves applying pattern to wood, cutting wood according to pattern, painting and gluing them on plywood backing, all is explained in these projects.

Colors:
Use rich, tones with black accents and enriched with touches of gold.

Walls:
wallpaper walls with medieval motifs such as fleur de lys, trellis or stone blocks. Murals in biblical themes - scenes from histories and romances - hunting or the countryside.
Hang fabric all around the walls like curtains or use large tapestry or needlework designs or lengths of printed f abric in alcoves or put a tapestry or needlework hanging over a fireplace. And don't forget the Stained glass windows.

Soft furnishings:
Tapestry style patterns and
printed fabric designs of
heraldic devices or stylized
roses have a suitable medival
feel. Woven damasks and
brocade in rich colors and
cotton velvets in mellow
glowing tones.

Furniture:
Plainly constructed chest,
benches, box style armchairs,
trestle tables as well as built in
cupboards and seats.
Wood furniture can be matt
painted in brick red or dark
green, detailed with gold.
You could get away with
furniture in pine if it is simply
constructed.
Theme Bed - Castle Bed - Canopy Bed - Wrought Iron bed - the most important piece of furniture back then was the bed, usually with a wooden canopy which in medieval times was suspended from the ceiling.

Lighting:
Rustic looking electric fixtures in
wood and metal - Iron - Pewter
- free standing or ceiling hung iron
or wooden Candelabras
- Chandeliers
- romantic candlesticks.

Ornaments:
- Knights   - medieval armor
- Knights on horses - swords
- Shields   -   Crests   -   Flags
- Ornamental crosses - Dragons
- Lions - medieval style goblets
- Bowls