The family and household together provided the basic unit of social organization in the Middle Ages, and this period saw the emergence of many aspects of modern life, including the marriage service. "Family and Household in Medieval England" discusses the history of family life in England from c. 1066 to c. 1530. Peter Fleming draws upon both primary sources and a range of secondary literature. After a discussion of the family in theory and law from late classical times, the book traces the development of the family in this period, following a "life-cycle" approach, from marriage, through childbirth, to the dissolution of marriage by death or separation. As well as providing a useful introduction for undergraduate students, this book offers new perspectives for those more experienced in the study of this subject.