Renaissance Europe 1480 - 1520 by J R Hale

An excellent reference work on the end of the 15th century and the early 16th century covering quality of life in the Renaissance. It focuses more on the life of the man in the street, rather than just being a chronology of the main political events, and is therefore of use to the re-enactor who is trying to recreate this life.

ISBN 0 00 211721 5 (Fontana hardback edition)

Also published as ISBN 0631216243 by Blackwell.

Also see ISBN 0684803526 Civilization of Europe in the Renaissance (same author). which is focussed more on the late 16th century and early 17th century.