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The original was posted on /r/osr by /u/Peredur_91 on 2023-09-20 00:48:28.

Hey beautiful people,

I know we’re all familiar (and if you aren’t, shame on you) with the Appendix N of D&D - a list of classic fantasy and sword n’ sorcery literature that can be profitably read for inspiration and ideas. Examples might include Robert Howard, HP Lovecraft, Tolkien, Lieber, Le Guin, Norton, etc. You might have your own personal Appendix but the content would be very similar - tales of adventure, magic and derring-do in pre-modern settings. More than likely most of them will be Problematic nowadays for a variety of reasons.

But I wondered what books you would select for an Appendix N specifically geared towards creating an understand of and appreciation for the Medieval Era in Europe (Appendix M, maybe?). This could be in the form of history, primary sources or fiction. I’m looking for a specific kind of medievalism - books that really help immerse you in that strange cultural stew of savagery, learning, superstition, piety and chivalry that dominated Europe from around the 11th century to the beginning of the 16th. Knights, peasants, castles, saints, popes and friars - the good stuff.

I thought I’d select three books from my own Appendix to give you an idea-

The Journey Through Wales by Gerald of Wales. A 12th century Welsh priest records his observations while traveling through medieval Wales while preaching the crusade. Gerald records just about every story he hears - local miracles, possible encounters with fairies, bloody Welsh-Norman vendettas and everything else. Invaluable as a primary source and highly entertaining.

England Under the Norman and Angevin Kings by Robert Bartlett. Bit of a dry title but don’t let that put you off - Bartlett covers the legal practices, religious beliefs, superstitions, warfare and social life of England in a particular time in history in such depth and with such an eye for detail that you almost feel you’ve been there yourself by the time you’ve finished.

Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman. During the Hundred Years War a disgraced knight has to escort a little girl across a practically post-apocalyptic France savaged by disease, deserters and war. Oh, and the devil has just unleashed the armies of hell to make war on God and end the world. Magnificent horror-adventure that combines some truly horrific scenes (the Bit With the Statues will haunt you) with a convincing (to my mind) portrait of real holiness amid utter devastation.

What would you select for your own Appendix M?