Medieval magazines and books
- Available
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Delivery time: 2 - 3 working days* (US - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 2 - 3 working days* (US - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 2 - 3 working days* (US - int. shipments may differ)
Books and magazines on the Middle Ages are more than just reading material for re-enactors, LARP players and history enthusiasts — they are the tools that turn an outfit into a historically accurate portrayal. In our range, you’ll find practical guides, pattern collections, cookbooks and magazines that will provide a solid foundation for your next market event, army camp or DIY project.
What you can expect from the range: books, special editions and practical guides
The range comprises around 40 titles priced between €18 and €37 — affordable enough to buy specifically for a single project without having to build up an entire library straight away. The focus is on practical titles from Zauberfeder Verlag, which has been a mainstay of the German-language re-enactment book market for years and clearly prioritises practical instructions: sewing patterns, material lists and step-by-step guides.
The categories range from pattern books for costumes to cookbooks for military camps and medieval markets, right through to LARP guides and themed special editions. Some titles are also available as damaged copies — identical in content, with minimal external damage, but at a lower introductory price. A practical option for anyone who wants to use the content and isn’t looking for a display piece.
Physical editions remain the norm in everyday reenactment life: a book can be opened whilst sewing, annotated, and kept to hand in camp — this is a practical advantage that a PDF on a smartphone simply cannot fully replace.
Books by topic: From clothing to camp kitchen
Costumes & Craftsmanship
The series ‘Making Medieval Clothing Yourself’ covers basic attire for men and women, Viking garments, shoes from the High and Late Middle Ages, and headwear. English-language counterparts such as *Make Your Own Medieval Clothing* are aimed at readers who prefer international specialist literature. Additionally, there are books on needle binding, tablet weaving and the construction of chainmail — craft techniques that go beyond sewing.
Camp Kitchen & Cooking
The book Camp Kitchen — Medieval Cooking over an Open Fire is a classic for anyone wishing to enhance their campsite with culinary delights. The Viking Cookbook and Cooking Like the Vikings provide Nordic-inspired recipes with historical references, whilst the Landsknecht Cookbook focuses on the 15th and 16th centuries. For LARP enthusiasts, Recipes from the Shire offers over 40 fantasy-themed dishes — a tongue-in-cheek take on culinary practice.
LARP & Culture
Those new to live-action role-playing will find a structured guide in LARP — An Introduction to a Fantastic Hobby. The LARP Costume Guide takes you through various types of costume, whilst *Well Equipped – Chainmail and Armour* explains how to make your own chainmail armour. Song and culture books such as the *Purple Songbook* with 37 song lyrics and chords, or *Love, Lust, Minstrel Songs*, round off the range for camps and markets.
Which format is suitable for whom? Beginners to experienced re-enactors
Popular science special editions, the LARP Beginner’s Guide and the general costume volumes on basic equipment are ideal for anyone who hasn’t yet found their niche. They help you narrow down your area of interest before making larger investments in materials and equipment.
Pattern books with specific material specifications and historical context are aimed at advanced re-enactors who wish to make their own medieval costumes. Specific volumes on Viking costumes, footwear or headgear answer specific questions: Which seam style is documented for which period? Which materials were actually in use in the 9th century?
English-language titles such as Make your own medieval clothing — Basic garments for women/men and works with archaeological references are aimed at re-enactors who wish to ground their decisions in primary sources. The difference from LARP titles: the level of detail regarding materials, patterns and historical evidence is significantly higher.
Medieval magazines: What Karfunkel & Co. offer
- Published quarterly, with varying themes
- Individual eras or peoples covered in each issue
- Special issues on Vikings, Celts and Crusaders as standalone reading
- Ideal for inspiration and as an introduction to new historical themes
- Up-to-date, relevant to the hobby, with market reports and hobby news
- Can be used indefinitely, no expiry date
- In-depth detail on a single topic
- Patterns, material specifications, step-by-step instructions
- Can be looked up and used immediately in craft work
- Recognised within the community as a source of reference in discussions
Karfunkel is the best-known German-language medieval magazine and is published quarterly with thematically focused issues — one issue is dedicated to the Normans, the next to early medieval daily life or the Crusades. Special issues on individual peoples or eras stand alone as reading material and are particularly well-suited if you wish to research a specific topic or prepare for a new re-enactment.
Books versus online sources: Why the printed format remains popular in the scene
Anyone asked at a medieval market or in a club for evidence to support a craft-related decision can simply quote a book title — this is a recognised argument within the community. Random websites rarely offer the same quality: curated, edited content with references is more reliable than a forum post or a Wikipedia entry.
The practical advantage is particularly clear when it comes to craftwork: a pattern book lies open next to the sewing machine, notes can be written directly on the pages, and a pattern sketch can be transferred straight onto the fabric. This is simply more difficult to do on a screen.
Damaged copies in the range offer a cheaper entry point without compromising on content — external flaws (creases, slight scratches on the cover) do not alter the fact that the patterns are complete and the instructions are legible. For anyone wishing to use the content, this is a sensible option.
Epochs and peoples: Which themes dominate specialist literature?
Vikings feature particularly prominently in the range: Cooking Like the Vikings, The Viking Cookbook and the costume volume Making Medieval Clothing Yourself — Viking Costumes cover cooking, clothing and DIY. The combination of archaeological evidence, Norse mythology and broad public interest makes Viking themes enduring focal points in specialist literature.
The costume series is specifically divided by era: basic attire for men and women (general Middle Ages), footwear from the High and Late Middle Ages, and headwear for various periods. Different cuts, materials and manufacturing techniques depending on the century make a period-specific approach sensible — someone dressing for the 9th century has different requirements to someone portraying the 14th century.
Celtic and Germanic themes appear primarily in journals and magazines as standalone special issues. Crusaders and Normans are classic magazine themes that are regularly featured in Karfunkel special editions. These peoples combine archaeological findings with a broad tradition of representation within the re-enactment scene.
Not all titles in the range are strictly historical — recipes from the Shire and the attire of the Hobbits are deliberately aimed at LARP players with a fantasy focus. These books take historical craft techniques as their basis, but interpret them for fictional peoples and settings. For players at events such as Conquest of Mythodea or Drachenfest, they are a practical complement to historically oriented literature.
Books as gift ideas for re-enactors and enthusiasts
A themed special edition on a favourite historical period is more personal than a generic book on the Middle Ages: if you know someone plays a Viking, the Viking Cookbook or the book on Nordic-style clothing is a far more targeted choice than a general overview.
Cookbooks such as ‘Camp Kitchen — Medieval Cooking over an Open Fire’ naturally complement existing camp equipment: anyone who already has a cauldron, tripod and cooking utensils will be delighted with recipes that go with them. The book will be used — not just leafed through once.
Those wishing to put together something more substantial can combine thematically coordinated packages: a book on medieval clothing, a matching cookbook and a special issue on the period combine to form a gift with real practical value. Combined with sewing supplies, raw materials or chainmail accessories from the shop, this creates an expanded gift package that is ready for immediate use. Anyone looking specifically for gift ideas for medieval enthusiasts will find further inspiration in the shop.
Whether you’re cutting your first tunic, looking to enhance your army camp’s culinary offerings, or wanting to base your Viking portrayal on new sources — you’ll find the right title for your next step in our range. Browse through the selection and be inspired by practical guides and magazines created directly from within the scene.
Frequently asked questions
For beginners, popular science special editions and general costume guides such as 'Making Medieval Clothing Yourself — Basic Outfit for Men/Women' are well suited. They explain historical contexts without requiring prior knowledge and help you narrow down your own area of interest before making larger investments in materials. The LARP beginner’s guide ‘LARP — An Introduction to a Fantastic Hobby’ is the perfect choice for anyone wishing to get started in live-action role-playing.
A medieval magazine such as Karfunkel is published quarterly and covers a variety of topics from history, crafts and practical scene-related skills in each issue. A special edition is a self-contained publication focusing on a single theme — such as the Vikings, the Crusaders or medieval camp cooking. Special editions are particularly useful if you want to research a specific topic or familiarise yourself with a new reenactment role.
A thematically appropriate cookbook — such as the Viking Cookbook or ‘Camp Kitchen — Medieval Cooking over an Open Fire’ — is a gift that will actually be used. If you know which era or people the recipient represents, you can choose a specific costume guide from the ‘Make Your Own Medieval Clothing’ series. Combined with sewing accessories or small materials, this creates a gift set that’s ready to use straight away.
Yes — the range specifically includes LARP titles: ‘LARP — An Introduction to a Fantastic Hobby’, the ‘LARP Costume Book’ and ‘Well-Equipped — Chainmail and Armour’ are aimed directly at live-action role-players. 'Recipes from the Shire' and 'Hobbit Costumes' are also fantasy-themed titles that adapt historical craft techniques for fictional settings.
Damaged copies are books with complete content but minor external defects such as creases or slight damage to the cover. The content — patterns, instructions, recipes — is identical to the standard edition. For anyone wishing to use the book for practical purposes, damaged copies are a sensible option as they are available at a lower price.