The Middle Ages
Pathfinder for Resources in the CHS Library
Overview:
The Middle Ages typically refers to the time period 500-1300 C.E. in Europe.
Scope: This pathfinder will help you begin to research the Middle Ages. The resources listed
here are some of the most relevant items in the library, but you will surely find many more books
and websites of interest. The library media specialists are happy to assist when you need help!
Books: Search the CHS Library Catalog by going to http://www.tesd.net/stoga →
Academics → Library → Library Catalog.
■ Use these phrases to search by Subject:
Middle Ages
Medieval
Middle Ages, History
Knights
Medicine, Medieval
Church History, Middle Ages
Castles
Crusades
Chivalry
Cookery, Europe
Cathedrals
Costume, Medieval
Most of the books about the
Middle Ages will be found
in Call Numbers:
909.07 940.1
R 909.07 R 940.1
■ Here are a few highly recommended books:
Cosgrave, Bronwyn. The Complete History of Costume & Fashion from Ancient
Egypt to the Present Day. New York: Facts on File, 2000. 391 COS
Glick, Thomas, Steven J. Livesey, and Faith Wallis, ed. Medieval Science,
Technology and Medicine: An Encyclopedia. New York: Routledge,
2005. 940.1 MED
Jordan, William Chester, ed. The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia for Students. 4 vols. New York:
Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1996. 909.07 Mid
MacDonald, Fiona, and Mark Bergin. A Medieval Castle. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1990.
940.1 Mac
Singman, Jeffrey L., Daily Life in Medieval Europe. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1999.
940.1 Sin
Databases: From http://stoga.net click on “CHS Research Databases”. A bonus of
using these databases is that the citations are already done for you in MLA format! Just
scroll to the bottom of the article to see the citations.
ABC-Clio Ancient and Medieval: Begin by clicking on “Explore an Era” on the left. Then scroll
down to find the era “Medieval Europe, A.D. 500-1500” and choose a sub-topic. Each sub-topic
includes an overview article as well as in-depth articles, images (under “Media & Visuals”) and
primary source documents.
eLibrary: Search for your topic, and then refine your search using the green “why don’t you try”
links at the top of the page. To find the eLibrary special feature on the Middle Ages, search
“Middle Ages” and then click the blue “expand this topic” link on the left.
Another option is to try the History Special Collection using the link on the right side of
the search page. This will take you to the History Study Center. Search for your topic and select
a relevant Study Unit; then scroll down to see articles, images, and websites. You can also
browse the Study Units: click Study Units (on the right) → European History (on the left) →
European History Until 1450, and choose a Study Unit.
Gale Virtual Reference Library: Search for your topic, and then narrow your results
by document type, publication, or subject using the drop-down menu on the left.
You can also browse the database by subject using the subject list on the bottom half
of the page. (For example, try Arts → Arts and Humanities Through the Eras →
eTable of Contents → Volume 3 Medieval Europe.)
Web Sites:
The Middle Ages, eMuseum @ Minnesota State University
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/history/middleages/
Choose a knight, merchant, nun, or farmer as your tour guide and explore the Middle Ages!
Middle Ages, Annenberg Media
http://www.learner.org/interactives/middleages/
Click “enter” to begin, and then use the menu on the right to explore feudal life, religion, homes,
clothing, health, arts and entertainment, and town life in the Middle Ages.
Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts, National Library of the Netherlands
http://www.kb.nl/manuscripts/
This is a very cool site where you can see hundreds of real illuminated manuscripts from the
Middle Ages. Check out the highlights or browse by subject to see the most illuminations.
Medieval Siege, PBS NOVA Secrets of Lost Empires
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/trebuchet/
Learn about Medieval siege warfare, weapons, and life in a castle.
The Crusades, Boise State State University
http://crusades.boisestate.edu/contents.shtml
Browse this online course about the Crusades. Lots of info in an easy to read format.
Medieval Medicine Manuscripts, The National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/medieval/introduction.html
This site provides an overview of Medieval medical practices, and exhibits some key documents.
Cite your sources! Keep track of your research and generate citations using
Noodletools. If you already have an account, log in at http://noodletools.com/ .
To create an account, go to http://stoga.net/ → CHS Research Databases →
Noodletools → Create a Personal ID.