Young Writers Society

I'm writing a story that takes place in a medieval-like world, and I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about it. I'm not looking for wars or famous people, I'm mainly looking for things like beliefs in magic, or how castles were built. I remember learning about it a long time ago in school, but, like everything I learn in History or Science, it's at the back of my head, forgotten. So, can anybody help me?

The best books I have found on the subject are:

The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference by Writer's Digest books
The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy by Dragon Moon Publishing

Don't let the "fantasy" in the title put you off. The stuff on weapons and castles applies to every genre.

I'm not going to be of much help here, but its best to do lots of research. That's what the internet and enclycopedias are for. Just go to Google or something and just start doing research. It'll really, really help you. Better than what I can.

One thing I do remember off the top of my head is: magic was thought to be evil or Satan's work.

Also, those books Rosey suggested will be very helpful too. I have one similar to them and it's great for stuff like this ^_^

Meadow

Here are some links that might help you out:

http://www.timescapes.org.uk/pages/results.asp?ts=5&tm=12
^^A wealth of information on medieval Ireland.

http://courses.washington.edu/hsteu205/205%20EMWB.htm
^^Medieval beliefs in witchcraft (brief and somewhat complex).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_paganism
^^Religion in medieval germany.

http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/middle-ages-castles.htm
^^Has a detailed explination of castles although not of the process of their construction.

http://www.medieval-castle-siege-weapons.com/medieval-castle.html
^^A breif over view of castle construction.

http://www.medieval-life.net/
^^Life in medieval europe.

I didn't actually read the majority of what is detailed on the sites, but I did do a quick skim of them so I could give you at least an idea of the material each had. Google is an invaluable tool for researching.

As far as the process of castle building from a stone cutters POV, there was a history channel or discovery channel video that detailed it quite thoroughly although I was unable to find it... (sorry)
I do know that it more or less would consume the stonecutter's life, however. It was painstaking labor that took a sharp eye, especially for winding stairs! They might make three to eight steps a day if they were a master stone cutter (at least that's what I recall from the video).

Wow, thanks. That'll really help.

No problem... (didn't want to make another post just to say that ) Always glad to help.

Wow, thanks. That'll really help.