People encounter architecture almost every day. Whether at home or outdoors, we take its presence for granted, forgetting how literally buildings structure our lives. This close connection between architecture and daily life was also true in the Middle Ages, from castles, cathedrals and country estates to towns and rural dwellings. While numerous medieval buildings survive to the present day, many more have disappeared. Some of the best records we have, representing the greatest achievements of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, can be found in illuminated manuscripts. This highly illustrated book offers an opportunity to look in detail at medieval architecture, as it appeared in contemporary manuscripts. It will be enjoyed by anyone interested in the history of buildings, and of the medieval period in particular.