Book excerpt: The history of medieval Germany, particularly that of the lower social orders, has thus far remained largely unknown outside of the German-speaking regions of modern Europe. The translation of the four texts in this volume, which focus on the city of Worms in the period c.1000 to c.1300, is intended to help fill these lacunae. The history of Worms, as told in these sources, can be understood as illuminating the broader urban, ecclesiastical and political history of the German kingdom at the height of its power.