People who lived in towns in the Middle Ages were usually part of the merchant class and were more often than not wealthier than village dwellers. These craftsmen and business owners were independent men and women who did not work in service to anyone but themselves. Medieval Towns, Trade and Travel features daily life in a town, the artisans and businesspeople who populated it, and what kind of transportation was available in the days of horse and cart. Topics include: - the daily life of a family in town - trades for food including the butcher, the baker, and the brewer - trades for equipment such as the blacksmith and the woodworker - belonging to a guild - apprenticeship for a trade - travel in the Middle Ages - staying close to home because travel was time-consuming and uncomfortable - travel by horse - the fastest way - inns and taverns for weary travelers Teacher's guide available.

Feasts were a common way of drawing families and communities together in the Middle Ages. They were also used as an opportunity to display a noble family's wealth. This delightful book takes readers inside a medieval kitchen highlighting utensils used in food preparation, the servants who worked there, and how food was prepared. Topics include: - farming and livestock - the harvest and how food was preserved - markets and fairs - herbs and spices to flavor salty foods - food in other cultures of the same period - towns and the merchant class - the butcher, baker, brewer and other tradespeople - the medieval kitchen - hunting, hawking and fishing - the extravagance of the noble's feast - feast days, celebrations, and the Church - food shortages and famine Teacher's guide available.