Medieval social commentary

In Kingdoms and Communities in Western Europe, 900-1300, Susan Reynolds* makes this comment in describing 11th century Italy: ".... some of them [i.e. castles] were little more than nests of brigands --- 'Lombards', as they were sometimes called, or 'nobles' --- this last, perhaps, largely because they lived off others rather than working for their living."

True aristocratic values.

Many of the best medievalists have always been women and, at the moment, Reynolds is one of the very best, at least in English.