An introduction to life in towns and cities in the medleval period After a long decline in urban life following the fall of the Roman Empire, towns became centres of trade and of liberty during the medieval period. Here, the author describes how, as Europe stabilized after centuries of strife, commerce and the commercial class grew, and urban areas became an important source of revenue for royal coffers. Towns enjoyed various levels of autonomy, and always provided goods and services unavailable in rural areas. Hazards abounded in towns, though. Disease, fire, crime and other hazards raised mortality rates in urban environs. In this introduction to life in towns and cities in the medieval period, eminent historian Norman Pounds brings to life the many pleasures, rewards, and dangers city-dwellers sought and avoided. Annotated primary documents such as the Domesday Book, sketches of street life, and descriptions of fairs and markets bring the period to life, and extended "biographical" sketches of towns, regions, and city-dwellers provide readers with valuable detail. In addition, 26 maps and illustrations, an annotated bibliography, glossary, and index round out the work. Part of the Greenwood Guides to Historic Events of the Medieval World series Written by a leading scholar of medieval history

诺尔曼•庞兹长期从事学术研究和教学，共出版著作30余部，是一位真正的多产学者，西方学界评论家赞誉他是一位具有百科全书式知识和能力的学者，是个“令人尊敬的多面手”。2005年，庞兹以93岁值高龄，出版了新作《中世纪城市》，这是一部可作为中世纪城市史领域入门的研究著作，是美国格林伍德出版社推出的“中世纪历史指南”书系之一种。中译本译者还为该书撰写了详细的译序，对中世纪城市研究的学术背景，庞兹的学术生涯和成就。