This work presents archaeological collections of the Ashmolean Museum which serve to illustrate a comprehensive series of historical themes, from the reign of Alfred the Great to the end of the Wars of the Roses. A sequence of well-defined topics has been chosen which characterise these crucial five centuries and more of English history: social, economic and political developments are reviewed; the evolution of trade, industry and agriculture is traced; text is supplemented by numerous illustrations (including 12 pages of colour) of exhibits from the Ashomean's medieval collections, giving tangible form to the concepts examined and forming a well-integrated presentation of archaeological and historical evidence.