The fascinating story of the fortunes of one medieval family over the course of a century, from bestselling historians Frances and Joseph Gies.

The Pastons were members of the English gentry—a tiny group of roughly 1,000 households sandwiched between the ruling nobility and the peasants, and a rough analog for the contemporary “middle class.” Their existence was fairly typical, but for the fact that it was recorded in an extraordinary collection of nearly 1,000 letters which have survived to this day. Through these letters, which cover the years from 1421 to 1484, and the lives of three generations of Pastons, bestselling historians Frances and Joseph Gies provide a rare window into the day-to-day life of this family, and the broader political and social goings-on of medieval England.

A Medieval Family first tells the story of Judge William Paston (1378-1444), the patriarch of the family, a lawyer and judge who bought up land in Norfolk and left his son a sizeable estate, which was later forcibly seized by a neighboring baron. We then follow the family through its ups and downs over several generations, learning of their feuds with neighbors, the frequent instability of 15^th century England, and significant historical events, such as the Siege of Caister and the Battle of Barnet. There are also many letters of more personal significance, including a series of Valentines sent to John Paston III.

The work of acclaimed historians Frances and Joseph Gies has been used by George R.R. Martin in his research for Game of Thrones. In A Medieval Family, they have woven a compelling intergenerational saga that is essential reading for anyone seeking insight into the medieval period.

“The Gieses, who specialize in making the Middle Ages accessible to nonspecialists, have done a wonderful job of linking and amplifying the Pastons’ words.” –New Yorker

Drawn directly from their personal correspondence, this definitive history of the Paston family reveals:

A Rare Primary Source: Discover the real lives of a 15th-century family through an unprecedented collection of nearly 1,000 personal letters, revealing their ambitions, feuds, and daily struggles in their own words.
The Rise of the English Gentry: Follow three generations of the Paston family as patriarch Judge William Paston uses the law to build a landed estate, lifting his family out of the peasantry and into the tumultuous world of the “middle class.”
Fifteenth-Century Life: Experience the frequent instability of 15th-century England, from violent land disputes and the Siege of Caister to the broader conflict that tore the kingdom apart.
Intimate Family Drama: Beyond the battles and politics, uncover personal stories of arranged marriages, sibling rivalries, private sorrows, and even a series of surviving Valentine’s letters.
Meticulous Historical Research: Learn why George R.R. Martin turned to the work of Frances and Joseph Gies for his own research, and see why the New Yorker praised their ability to make the Middle Ages accessible.