Probably every RPG player wondered what to do to make the world he created or described more interesting. Maybe by using richer descriptions of locations, interesting details of cities or events that adds color to the team’s frequent travels. Information for this can be found in many places, but from around the corner, “Life in a Medieval Castle” looks encouraging.
Interestingly, the book is adwertised by George R. R. Martin, the author of the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, known for his solidly created world, which, with its degree of complexity, is simply amazing. As it turns out, Martin used the invaluable art of reading and supplemented his knowledge with the book “Life in a Medieval Castle”, which was prepared by Frances Gies and Joseph Gies.
Fantasy systems or those based on the realities of the Middle Ages, to a greater or lesser extent use historical elements of our world. Of course, often the source manuals for a given system or setting contain a lot of information about selected realities. But due to the limitations related to the volume of the textbook or the required degree of curiosity of the information contained therein, you can usually find basic information and plot hooks there.
If we want to understand the reality of the chosen world a little better, it is worth reaching for additional literature. “Life in a Medieval Castle” falls in that category. Importantly, it is not a boring, heavy, encyclopedic item. The content is presented in a pleasant form to digest, so is easy to use it to enrich the created RPG world. You don’t have to wade through heavy terminology, names or dates that you will soon forget anyway. Of course, all this information can be found on the web faster. But in the book they are gathered in one place, and there is nothing better – in these times – than taking your eyes off the monitor.
The reading covers several topics: the genesis of building castles, the functioning of the castle during the war or in everyday life, information about ways of living in the castle, the life of the castle owner and lord, the castle as a household, hunting, the life of peasants, knighthood. I emphasize that the book in this context is not used to study the realities of the Middle Ages – but it will be great for better designing and describing scenes during RPG sessions. Certainly, it will be possible to acquire many smaller and larger details, which as the core of the description or typical flavors, will color standard session events or locations.
The downside of the book is the approach to the subject of the Middle Ages and castles mainly in the English realities – I missed some more local examples. Sometimes some threads, stories seem too briefly described – and they seem to be the most interesting. Also a few more graphics or at least sketches would be nice.
To sum up: I recommend it, a very nice item on the shelf related to RPG. Interestingly, there are several more items in this series: “Life in a Medieval Village“, “Life in a Medieval City“, “Women in the Middle Ages“, “Marriage and the Family in the Middle Ages“, and more.
